Alisas leads to changes in the general classification and Haimar Etxeberria becomes a contender

Vibrant mid-mountain stage that led to a change of leadership, now on the back of Alberto Álvarez (Extremadura) and after which Haimar Etxeberria jumps up to fourth position in the provisional general classification with the final day to go. Álvarez broke away at the start of the Puerto de Alisas, the last orographic difficulty of the day, also the most important, and managed to open a gap of more than a minute that could not be closed by the group that formed in pursuit of him in the almost thirty kilometres remaining to the finish.

In this group, there were two blue riders. Haimar Etxeberria and Fran Muñoz arrived 15″ behind the winner. The Basque rider, the Mataró rider and Luca Bagnara also climbed Alisas with alacrity, a climb that was reached at a frenetic pace by Gabriele Raccagni to bring down a dangerous breakaway led by Samuel Fernández (Caja Rural) and Sinuhé Fernández (Cortizo). In the final part of Alisas, with Álvarez already escaped, Etxeberria would move looking to cut his advantage. In the subsequent regrouping, already on the flat, a dynamic of accelerations and stops hampered the chase and the defence of the lead of Daniel Cavia (Gomur).

The Vuelta a Cantabria will dispute its third and last stage this Wednesday, a journey of more than 148 kilometres with a Pasiego route that will climb El Caracol and La Braguía and will have an uphill finish in the accesses to the cave of Monte Castillo, in Puente Viesgo. Up to ten riders are close to Álvarez’s lead, including Haimar Etxeberria. And at 52″, twelfth, Fran Muñoz. A very interesting day ahead.