BURGOS, Spain – Alpecin-Fenix rider Jasper Philipsen from Belgium came out on top in the final sprint to win the second stage of the Spanish Vuelta, with two-time defending champion Primoz Roglic keeping his overall lead.
Philipsen edged Fabio Jakobsen at the end of the 166-kilometer (103-mile) flat stage that finished in Burgos. Michael Matthews was third.
It was the Belgian’s second Grand Tour stage win after also winning in the Spanish Vuelta last year.
“It´s incredible,” Philipsen said according to AP. “It was amazing to see all my teammates there and everybody was on the frontline. I trusted the team and I think we did a really good job. We can be happy tonight.”
Roglic, the first-stage winner, safely managed the windy conditions on Sunday to retain the leader’s red jersey ahead of the first summit finish of the three-week race that will end in Santiago de Compostela. Alex Aranburu is second overall.
Roglic was able to avoid a crash at the peloton with about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) to go.
“You need to be on a survival mode in such stages where crashes can happen. You need a bit of luck,” Roglic said. “I know nothing of tomorrow´s uphill finish.”
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