Andrea Montoli climbs up in the general classification after fighting for everything and finishing third in Arenas de San Pedro
A fast-paced second stage of the Vuelta a Ávila, in which a breakaway of many carats acted as a springboard for changes at the top of the classification. Andrea Montoli, very offensive already on the first day, was present in that breakaway, showed strength in the great climb of this second fraction, fought for the victory and finished third in the arrival to Arenas de San Pedro, where Pablo García (Caja Rural) would win. The Italian climbs up to third place in the general classification before Sunday’s queen stage, a classification that is now headed by Polish rider Kacper Krawiec (Telco`m). Montoli is second, while Edoardo Alleva remains eighth.
Andrea Montoli, Pablo García (Caja Rural), Francesc Bennassar (High Level), Beñat Onaindia (Baque), Sergio Gutiérrez (Gomur) and Kacper Krawiec (Telco’m) were the members of a great breakaway of the day that started in a steep climb between Piedralaves and Piedrahita. Between the good understanding in the relays and the collaboration of its members, and the strength of their teams, which left the toast of the neutralisation to other formations, the breakaway ended up reaching the base of the pass, the Alto de Guisando.
A breakaway that never managed large rents, with a minute and a half as maximum and around 40″ as minimum, but with very well worked and sustained differences. A lot of work to make their success a reality. On the climb to Guisando Pablo García and Andrea Montoli selected the breakaway and managed to reach the top with fifteen seconds over Krawiec, but on the subsequent descent they ended up grouping together again in a definitive way. The peloton, which had reached Guisando 1’42” behind the leading duo, finally crossed the finish line under a minute.
Andrea Montoli: “Today’s stage was one that we had in mind, because the route allowed for several alternatives. About 80 kilometres from the finish, on a steep climb, we ended up forming this movement in which there were five very good riders. We knew that both Francesc Bennassar, who is a guy who has been in the junior team of the Foundation, and Sergio Gutiérrez were by far the fastest, so we had to take advantage of the climb to leave them behind. I tried to start, Pablo too, and in the end we managed to get away with Kacper. In the sprint I gave everything, maybe I failed a bit in the position because it was a curved finish, but I’m happy with this third place. And tomorrow, even more. We are a strong team and we want to continue to do well and fight for the victory we deserve this season”.
This Sunday, the last stage and the queen of the day, with stages through Mijares, Pedro Bernardo, Serranillos and Morisco. A lot of accumulated elevation gain on the routes of the Sistema Central.
