February 21/12 11:15 am - Vuelta a Andalucia Ruta Ciclista Del Sol: Stage 2 results and report

Posted by Editoress on 02/21/12
 

Results and Reports from today 3rd day of racing at the Vuelta a Andalucia Ruta Ciclista Del Sol in Spain

Euser with the Leaders on Tough Climbing Day

An All-climbing day featuring 5% climbs takes toll

Stage two of the Vuelta a Andalucia continued today for what was to be a decisive stage for the General Classification. The weather continued to cooperate with low winds, sunshine and warm temperatures.

With climbing as the main feature of this 144km race between Malaga and Lucena, the team was led by newly-hired Directeur sportif Michael Carter, a former professional climber. The stage unfolded as everyone had expected. The peloton was very active with riders from each of the 18 teams wanting a place in the opening break, and as a result the break was difficult to accomplish.

Team SpiderTech protected their two climbers, Caleb Fairly and Lucas Euser, in order to best position them for the climb and put them in the best possible General Classification positioning.

Ultimately, it was Lucas Euser who climbed his way to the top SpiderTech rider, taking the 18th spot at the topthe tough race as he crossed the finish line just 32 seconds after the stage winner and new race leader Alejandro Valverde of UCI World squad Movistar Team.

Euser was thankful for his teammate's assistance after the completion of the stage: “The team did a great job to position Caleb and I heading into the climb. We started the final climb top 20. The way the wind was today made the lower part of the climb a bit dicey, I didn't like that. The headwind slowed the pace and I'd have preferred if it was a bit more full-throttle from the beginning to the end. I paid attention to Gesink today - he climbs smooth and I thought he'd be a good wheel for me to gauge myself off.”

Carter added: “That was a dirty climb today, and was much harder than the race book seemed to indicate. The final pitch was over 15% and the wind on the exposed climb made it really difficult.”

The team also had as an objective to protect Will Routley’s position in the Meta Volantes Classification. Routley, who stepped on the podium in yesterday’s race, is currently sitting in fourth place of the Meta Volantes classification, with two points.

Report Courtesy Spidertech powered by C10