Henao fights for another top 10 position after two consecutive days in the breakaway

UAE Team Emirates’ Sergio Henao put in another gutsy performance today after riding in the breakaway for over 140kms and taking a well earned 10th place finish, just behind eventual stage winner Nikias Arndt (Team Sunweb).

As the peloton left Vallas on its 166.9km journey to Igualada the attacks began immediately. However it took until the 20km mark for a breakaway to finally stick and when it did, Henao was once again in the mix (photo Bettini). The Colombian climber worked tirelessly with his companions to build up a six minute gap on the peloton, ensuring it would be a day for the break to succeed.

As the break hit the main challenge of the day – a Cat.2 climb up the Puerto del Montserrat – it started to fragment and with 30 kms to go, a group of three had ridden off the front dropping the chasers behind. But, by the time the frontrunners passed under the flame rouge, they were all back together and with 150m of the race left, a 20 man sprint finish unfolded. Henao was able to grind out a respectable top 10 spot, despite the arrival not being one that suited his characteristics.

Henao commented: “It was a tough break to get into but I felt good after yesterday. I’ll try to fight for the Mountains Jersey but I know it will be difficult. Tomorrow is a short stage but it will also be really hard. The stages in Andorra are always important for the GC and it will likely get a shake up tomorrow”.

Fabio Aru and Tadej Pogacar continued to keep their own ambitions alive, finishing safely with their main rivals in the peloton. Both have dropped slightly in the overall standings due to a number of riders with no GC objectives making the break and gaining time.

On Sunday the team will take on another gruelling mountain stage – a short but punchy 94.4km route from Andorra la Vella to Cortals d’Encamp featuring five categorized climbs and one more summit finish. It’s a stage that could be crucial in deciding the overall standings at this year’s race.

Results stage 8
1 Nikias Arndt (Ger) Sunweb 3h50’48”
2 Alex Aranburu (Esp) Caja Rural-Seguros s.t.
3 Tosh Van der Sande (Bel) Lotto-Soudal s.t.
10 Sergio Henao (Col) UAE Team Emirates s.t.

General classification after stage 8
1 Nicolas Edet (Fra) Cofidis 32h16’24”
2 Dylan Teuns (Bel) Bahrain-Merida 2’21”
3 Miguel Angel Lopez (Col) Astana 3’01”
9 Tadej Pogačar (Slo) UAE Team Emirates 5’37”
13 Fabio Aru (Ita) UAE Team Emirates 6’37”