Cycling: There's really no better way to win a stage. Zdenek Stybar (Deceuninck – Quick-Step) attacked about a kilometer from the finish on the sixth stage of the Vuelta a San Juan, surprising all the sprinters.
Zdenek Stybar races up and away from the race track
At the Circuito San Juan Villicúm motor racing circuit, racing cars usually hurtle around the corners at breakneck speed. But today it wasn't a car or a motorcycle – it was Zdenek Stybar (Deceuninck – Quick-Step). The Czech rider attacked in the final kilometer, surprising all the sprinters. Juan Molano (UAE Team Emirates) and Rudy Barbier (Israel Start-Up Nation) almost caught him . But in the end, the two sprinters had to settle for second and third place. Peter Sagan (Bora – hansgrohe) and Fernando Gaviria (UAE Team Emirates) even had to be content with sixth and twelfth place, respectively.
Trio & quartet without a chance
Several riders had also hoped for a surprise attack today, but they were not to succeed. Initially, a trio consisting of Christofer Jurado (Panama), Veljko Stojnic (Vini Zabù – KTM), and Jokin Aranburu (Fundación – Orbea) dominated the race. However, despite having a lead of over four minutes, they were caught between kilometers 80 and 90. Then, a quartet consisting of Mirco Maestri (Bardiani – CSF – Faizanè), Andrea Di Renzo (Vini Zabù – KTM), Laureano Rosas (Transporte Puertas de Cuyo), and Augustín Fraysse (Argentina) launched an attack. However, they were only allowed a lead of around one minute and were finally reeled in approximately 20 kilometers from the finish.
Guillaume Martin secures victory in the mountains classification
The overall standings remained unchanged on today's sixth stage of the Vuelta a San Juan. Remco Evenepoel (Deceuninck – Quick-Step) is thus poised for the overall victory. The mountains classification, however, was much more exciting. Before the start of the stage, Frenchman Guillaume Martin (Cofidis) and Colombian César Nicolás Paredes (Medellin) were tied. This led to a showdown on the final climb of the day – which Guillaume Martin ultimately won. Since no points are up for grabs on tomorrow's final stage, his victory in the mountains classification is already secured. This marks the 26-year-old's first win of the new season for his new team.
That's how you do it 😃
congrats, @zdenekstybar!#No4in2020 pic.twitter.com/t96VZzQgg9— Deceuninck-QuickStep (@deceuninck_qst) February 1, 2020