Sam Bennett of the BORA-hansgrohe team rode the train of teammates Jempy Drucker and Shane Archbold to take the sprint in Stage 3 of the 2019 Vuelta a España.
Following Stage 2 that turned into a GC battle, Stage 3 of the Vuelta a España was one for the sprinters. The stage started in the city of Ibi and after 188 kilometres and two third category climbs and one intermediate sprint the race had its big showdown in Alicante, where a bunch sprint was expected.
Right after the flag was dropped three attacked and went up the road. The trio immediately opened a gap of more than three minutes, while BORA – hansgrohe remained in the main bunch, focusing on their sprinter Sam Bennett.
The peloton took it easy and gave the escapees a couple of minutes advantage for most of the stage. Approaching the finale, the sprinter teams took control of the main bunch, especially Pawel Poljanski did a stellar job at the front of the race. With the gap dropping steadily before it was all back together with around 30 km remaining.
BORA – hansgrohe started their lead-out for their Irish sprinter. The race headed into the finale, and the BORA – hansgrohe train was on fire, bringing Sam into position perfectly. Especially Jempy Drucker and Shane Archbold, his last lead-out men did a stellar job to make sure their sprinter was up the front. Sam Bennett finished the great teamwork off with another stunning victory in this season, his 10th WorldTour stage win so far. Following this great result, the Irish sprinter now leads the sprint classification of the Vuelta a España.
Stage 3 Brief Results:
- Sam Bennett IRL (BORA – hansgrohe)
- Edward Theuns BEL (Trek – Segafredo) s.t.
- Luka Mezgec SLO (Mitchelton – Scott) s.t.
- Jon Aberasturi (ESP) Caja Rural – Seguros RGA s.t.
- Phil Bauhaus (GER) Bahrain – Merida s.t.
- Maximiliano Richeze (ARG) Deceuninck – Quick-Step s.t.
- Fabio Jakobsen (NED) Deceuninck – Quick-Step s.t.
- Cyril Barthe (FRA) Euskadi Basque Country – s.t.
- Szymon Sajnok (POL) CCC Team s.t.
- Clément Venturini (FRA) AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
General Classification After Stage 3:
- Nicolas Roche (IRL) Team Sunweb 9:51:14
- Nairo Quintana (COL) Movistar Team at 2”
- Rigoberto Urán (COL) EF Education First at 8”
- Mikel Nieve (ESP) Mitchelton – Scott at 22”
- Miguel Ángel López (COL) Astana Pro Team at 33”
- Primož Roglic (SLO) Team Jumbo – Visma at 35”
- Sergio Higuita (COL) EF Education First at 37”
- Wilco Kelderman (NED) Team Sunweb at 38”
- Davide Formolo (ITA) BORA – hansgrohe at 46”
- Rafal Majka (POL) BORA – hansgrohe s.t.
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