Slovenian rider wins stage 1 of the Vuelta Andalucia
Wednesday 15 February, 2023
Fourth victory in a row for Tadej Pogačar: he had conquered the last two races in which he participated in the 2022 seasons (Tre Valli Varesine and Il Lombardia) and on Monday he won the Clasica Jaen, today he added another triumph crossing the line first of stage 1 of the Vuelta Andalucia (Puente de Génave-Santiago de la Espada, 179 km).
The Slovenian cyclist cemented his victory (48th in his career) on the last climb of the stage, the 1st category hill of Despiernacaballos (10,6 km at 5,8%), attacking at -13 km to the arrival (5 to the summit of the climb) after that his team mates Wellens, Majka and Bennett set a high pace to a reduced front group.
Santiago Buitrago (Bahrain-Victorious) tried to follow Pogačar, but he was dropped after hundreds meters and he formed with Mikel Landa (Bahrain-Victorious), Carlos Rodriguez (Ineos Grenadiers) and Enric Mas (Movistar) a chasing group with a gap of 45” to the captain of UAE Team Emirates.
After having reached the summit of the climb, Pogačar had no problems in stabilizing his advantage on the chasers (amongst whom Mas was stopped by a mechanical problem) and taking in Santiago de la Espana the 5th seasonal victory for UAE Team Emirates.
Pogačar: “Today once again the team work was great, we did a nice job and our guys led me to the last climb at a very very high pace which I really liked.
The climb was steep, I saw the moment to attack and I enjoyed the path to the finish.
I am a little surprised of my form, I knew that I was good but I could not expect to have already won two races.
For what concerns the leadership in the general classification of the Vuelta Andalucia, it’s gonna be really difficult to defend the leaders jersey until the end because there will be some tricky stages, but I will be able to rely on such a strong team that makes me confident I can reach this goal”.
Wearing the leaders jersey of the Spanish race, the Slovenian talent will be at the start of the stage 2, 156,1 km from Diezma-Alcalà la Real with two 3rd category climbs and one 2nd category climb to be faced.
Stage 1 result
- Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) 5:04:08
- Mikel Landa (Bahrain-Victorious) +38″
- Carlos Rodriguez (Ineos Grenadiers) s.t.
