Ayuso podiums in first Catalunya mountain test

Juan Ayuso took the biggest result of his young professional career with 2nd place on Stage 3 of the Volta Catalunya.

After several flurries Marc Soler, showing no ill effects from his crash yesterday, was first to hit out in the final kilometres going clear of the bunch in pursuit of lone leader Ben O’Connor (AG2R-Citroen) who would go on to win the stage.

Soler would be brought back -500m from the finish as Ayuso lead the elite group home +6’’ behind O’Connor with Joao Almeida close behind in 5th place on the hilly day from Perpignan to La Molina (161.1km).

Ayuso now lies 2nd in the general classification behind O’Connor and will wear the white jersey as best young rider of the race for Stage 4 tomorrow from La Seu d’Urgell to Boí Taüll (166.7km).

Juan Ayuso : “ It was hard to get clear on the last climb as there was a strong headwind but I think O’Connor timed it well so hats off to him for staying away. I tried two or three times but I couldn’t forge a gap, it’s a pity we couldn’t close him in the final, but we came close. It will be another hard day tomorrow but the legs are good so we’ll give it another shot.”

On day two of Coppi & Bartali UAE Team Emirates registered another double top-10 with Diego Ulissi and Marc Hirschi coming home in 6th and 7th respectively.

Camilo Ardila was a key protagonist on the stage , breaking clear in the closing kilometres before being absorbed by the main group -500m from the line.

The stage from Riccione to Longiano (165.9km) was won by Ethan Hayter (Ineos-Grenadiers). Ulissi is best placed of UAE Team Emirates in 6th place overall at 20’’ from new race leader Eddie Dunbar (Ineos-Grenadiers).

There was bad luck in Belgium at the Minerva Classic Brugge-De Panne, with designated sprinter Pascal Ackermann taking a hard crash inside 10km to go. The German suffered abrasions and though he initially remounted his bike, was taken to hospital post-race as a precaution.

Volta Catalunya stage 3 results

1.Ben O’Connor (Ag2r-Citroen) 4:12:51
2.Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates) +6’’
3.Nairo Quintana (Arkea-Samsic) s.t

Volta Catalunya general Classification after stage 3

1.Ben O’Connor (Ag2r-Citroen) 12:44:20
2.Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates) +10’’
3.Nairo Quintana (Arkea-Samsic) +12’’

 
Coppi & Bartali stage 2 results

 
1.Ethan Hayter (Ineos-Grenadiers) 4:11:46
2.Matteo Sobrero (Bike Exchange) s.t
3.Ben Tulett (Ineos-Grenadiers) s.t
6.Diego Ulissi (UAE Team Emirates) s.t
7.Marc Hirschi (UAE Team Emirates) s.t

 
Coppi & Bartali general classification after stage 2

 
1. Eddie Dunbar (Ineos Grenadiers) 8:24:40
2. Ethan Hayter (Ineos Grenadiers) +6’’
3. Matteo Sobrero (Bike Exchange) +20’’
6.Diego Ulissi (UAE Team Emirates) s.t
8.Marc Hirschi (UAE Team Emirates) s.t