Philipsen 4th on final race day of 2020

Thirty-three wins, twenty-five second places and twenty third places: the definitive numbers to sum-up the UAE Team Emirates’ 2020 season. Jasper Philipsen came very close to adding to those figures in the final stage of the Vuelta a Espana (Hipodromo de Zarzuela -Madrid, 139.6 km), the last day of racing of this strange but highly successful year.

The Belgian sprinter, already a winner in a stage of the Vuelta, took 4th place in the final dash. The stage was won by Pascal Ackermann (Bora-hansgrohe) ahead of Sam Bennett (Deceuninck-Quick Step).
For UAE Team Emirates, Davide Formolo did not take part in the stage, as he traveled home to witness the birth of his first child in the next few days.

David De La Cruz signed off with 7th place in the general classification (+7’35” from the winner Primoz Roglic, Jumbo-Visma) gained thanks to a strong, courageous performance on the 17th stage.
Sergio Henao finished the race in 15th position (+15’36”).

David De La Cruz: “We came here looking for stage wins and a strong GC and we managed to do both so as a group we are pleased even if we always look for more. It’s been a very hard Vuelta and every day was a tough fight. This result gives me confidence looking ahead to next year to keep improving.”

 
Matxin Fernandez (Team Manager): “The team attitude was positive and saw plenty of aggressive racing which is part of our general outlook as a team.
The stage win from Philipsen was a clear highlight and 7th on GC was a good result, while I’m sure that De La Cruz can achieve even better in the future.”

Stage 18 results:
1. Pascal Ackermann (Bora-hansgrohe) 3h28’13 ”
2. Sam Bennett (Deceunick-Quick Step) s.t.
3. Max Kanter (Sunweb) s.t.
4. Jasper Philipsen (UAE Team Emirates) s.t.

Final General classification:
1. Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma) 72h46’12 ”
2. Richard Carapaz (Ineos-Grenadiers) +24 ”
3. Hugh Carthy (Ef) + 1’15 ”
7. David De La Cruz (UAE Team Emirates) + 7’35 “