Cycling: The top favorites were defeated on the first day of the Ruta del Sol. As a breakaway, Rune Herregodts prevails in Iznajar. The Belgian celebrates his second professional victory.
Rune Herregodts is the strongest outlier
Only very few would have expected a breakaway victory at the start of the Ruta del Sol. But the eight fugitives were given a lead of over 14 minutes by the peloton early on - and after more than 200 kilometers they saved a little more than 30 seconds over the finish line. The Sport Vlaanderen – Baloise team with two men saw themselves as having an advantage and they were able to exploit this over the last few kilometers. Rune of Herregod sprinted uphill while seated Stephen bassett (Human Powered Health) over to win the stage. The 23-year-old Belgian also takes the overall lead. Alessandro Covi (UAE) sprinted across the finish line in seventh place – and thus the first rider in a WorldTour team – a few seconds ahead of the other favorites.
What do Buchmann & Kämna achieve?
The 68th edition of the Vuelta a Andalucia Ruta Ciclista del Sol has a total of five stages and accordingly ends on Sunday in Chiclana de Segura. The two final stages in the mountains will probably be decisive for the overall ranking. The Colombian is one of the favourites Miguel Angel Lopez (Astana) and Simon yates (Bike Exchange - Jayco). Above all, Germany's hope rests on Emmanuel Buchman and Lennard Kamna from the Bora – hansgrohe.
#68RdS Herregodt's ✌️ victory! pic.twitter.com/vugRWwuGT6
— LAU (Laura MT) (@lauramtaberner) February 16, 2022