Molano top-5 in Vuelta sprint finale

The Colombian from UAE Team Emirates Sebastian Molano finished 4th in the sprint that gave victory to Kaden Groves (Bike Exchange) in the flat run-in from El Pozo Alimentacion to Cabo de Gata (190km).

The final sector of the course was a straight 3km run-in along the Almeria coastline with had a crosswind. As the finish line approached, Ivo Oliveira set to work driving the leadout train though Ackermann would become unhinged as the road narrowed, meaning Molano would throw his name in the hat in the finish.

Sebastian Molano: “We tried with Pascal but he was blocked in and couldn’t move up. I just about made it towards the front but Pascal just missed out unfortunately. We knew today we’d have a side wind. I jumped early as was the plan but the guys came from the side and I got swamped. We have a few mountainous days ahead but we’ll look for more sprint opportunities when the chance comes.”

The general classification sees a shakeup from yesterday due to positive Covid-19 cases in the race, with Juan Ayuso and Joao Almeida both well placed inside the top-10, Ayuso in 5th and Almeida in 6th respectively as Remco Evenepoel (Deceuninck-Quickstep) continues in the lead.

The 12th stage will see a return to the hills with a day from Salobreña to Peñas Blancas Estepona (192km).

Stage 11 results

1. Kaden Groves (BikeExchange) 5:03:15
2. Danny Van Poppel (Bora-Hansgrohe) s.t
3. Tim Merlier (Alpecin-Fenix) s.t
4. Sebastian Molano (UAE Team Emirates) s.t.

 
General classification after the 11th stage

1.Remco Evenepoel (Deceuninck-Quickstep) 39:39:04
2.Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma) +2:41
3.Enric Mas (Movistar) +3:03
5.Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates) +4:53
6.Joao Almeida (UAE Team Emirates) +6:45