News | Saudi Tour | Volta Valenciana • February 3, 2022
Molano takes podium in Valenciana sprint
Colombian 2nd as Ayuso moves into top-10 on GC
Sebastian Molano put in a fast turn of speed to take 2nd place on Stage 2 of the Vuelta Valenciana behind Fabio Jakobsen (Quick Step – Alpha Vinyl) on the hilly sprint finish from Betera to Torrent (171.5km).
The Colombian fastman was without the leadout of Ryan Gibbons who was involved in a hard crash with 3.7km to go, however thankfully the South African was able to finish the stage afterwards.
Molano: “It was a good sprint and I’m really happy and thankful for the work the guys did to put me in a good position. Unfortunately we lost Gibbons to a crash in the final kilometres so we missed a man, but we did what we could. Jakobsen was just that bit faster than everyone else today but the legs are very good and I hope to find a win very soon.”
After a solid display yesterday, Juan Ayuso climbed the General Standings to 10th place overall at 1’14’’ from race leader Remco Evenepoel (Quick Step – Alpha Vinyl).
Tomorrow the racing at Vuelta Valenciana continues with Stage 3 from Alicante to Antenas del Maigmó (155.1km) in what is set to be a key day for the GC.
At the Saudi Tour, Fernando Gaviria registered his second top-10 of the race with 6th place on Stage 3 from Tayma Hadaj Well to AlUla Old Town (181.2km).
The sprint was won by Dylan Groenewegen (Bike Exchange) in a reduced field after a day of strong crosswinds.
Rui Costa continues to climb the GC and is now placed in 3rd place behind race leader Santiago Buitrago (Bahrain-Victorious).
Vuelta Valenciana Stage 2 results
1.Fabio Jakobsen (Quick Step- Alpha Vinyl) 4:09:51
2.Sebastian Molano (UAE Team Emirates) s.t
3.Elia Viviani (Quick Step – Alpha Vinyl) s.t
Vuelta Valenciana General Classification after Stage 2
1.Remco Evenepoel (Quick Step – Alpha Vinyl) 8:26:13
2.Aleksandr Vlasov (Bora-Hansgrohe) +19’’
3.Carlos Rodriguez (Ineos-Grenadiers) +37’’
10. Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates) +1’14’’
Saudi Tour Stage 3 results
1.Dylan Groenewegen ( Bike-Exchange) 5:11:22
2.Dan McClay (Arkea-Samsic) s.t
3.Caleb Ewan (Lotto-Soudal) s.t
6.Fernando Gaviria (UAE Team Emirates) s.t
Saudi Tour General Classification after Stage 3
1. Santiago Buitrago (Bahrain-Victorious) 13:36:55
2. Caleb Ewan (Lotto Soudal) +3’
3. Rui Costa (UAE Team Emirates) +13’’
