Cycling: Fernando Gaviria (UAE Team Emirates) won the first race for his new team at the Vuelta a San Juan. In the mass sprint, the Colombian left Matteo Malucelli (Caja Rural – Seguros RGA) and Sam Bennett (Bora – hansgrohe) behind.
Fernando Gaviria benefits from good preparatory work
How to start the new season: Fernando Gaviria (UAE Team Emirates) has made the perfect debut in his new squad. At the Vuelta a San Juan, he proved to be the fastest protagonist in an extremely long and strenuous sprint. The opening stage took the peloton over 159,1 kilometers from San Juan to Pocito. After the escape attempts were finally all thwarted, nothing stood in the way of the expected mass sprint. There presented himself Peter Sagan (Bora – hansgrohe) as a sprint starter for Sam Bennett (Bora – hansgrohe), who was able to sprint to third place. The boy was surprisingly strong Matteo Malucelli (Caja Rural – Seguros RGA). However, even he could do nothing against Fernando Gaviria's staying power.
Vuelta a San Juan 2019: Seven stages and one rest day
After today's - rather quiet - first stage, things will get much tougher in the coming days. Only the final stage in San Juan looks like another classic Sprint Royal. Sections #2 and #6 might already be too difficult for some fast men due to a final elevation - but perfect for one Peter Sagan. However, the decision in the overall standings will be made in the middle of the tour. Before there is a rest day on Thursday, a 12,0 kilometer time trial has to be completed in Pocito – today's destination. After the break, it's time for the climbers. While the fourth stage is still difficult in the middle of the race, the difficult Alto Colorado has to be conquered on the fifth stage as a mountain finish. We can be curious how Chris Froome (Sky), Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck – Quick Step) and Nairo Quintana (Movistar) will be presenting this early in the season.
"A messy, messy sprint - they were all over the place!" But it's Fernando Gaviria who bags Stage 1 of #VueltaSJ2019 pic.twitter.com/tsLiFpSGo7
- Eurosport UK (@Eurosport_UK) 27 January 2019
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