CYCLING:SPRINTING HOME at the front of the main bunch, Slovakian rider Peter Sagan (Liquigas Cannondale) picked up his second stage win of this year's Vuelta a España yesterday, underlining his status as one of the favourites for the world road race championships.
The 21-year-old beat world under-23 runner-up John Degenkolb (HTC Highroad) into Pontevedra, with Italian rider Daniele Bennati (Leopard Trek) third.
Small splits in the bunch meant that all riders from 16th back lost time, with Nicolas Roche placing 27th and conceding five seconds, and Daniel Martin a further six seconds back in 47th.
Many of the general classification contenders also dropped a few seconds to the stage winner, but Fredrik Kessiakoff’s finished in the same time as Sagan and gained five seconds on race leader Bradley Wiggins. He moved to third overall as a result.
Speaking after the stage, former world number one Seán Kelly said that Martin had been riding strongly in the race and clearly has ambitions for the overall standings. He has already won a stage but due to time lost in the time trial, is now back in 23rd overall.
“I think Dan can chase another stage win but it seems that he is also trying to move up in the general classification,” said Kelly. “His attack on the final climb yesterday was clearly to try to gain some time and he may well be trying to move into the top 10.
“He’s got plenty of mountains ahead to try to do that. He’s improved but for future races, I think his time trial is still a problem; he is losing too much there at the moment.”
There are no more time trials left in the Vuelta and this should help both Martin and Roche to move up the classification. The latter is 17th overall.
Wiggins remains seven seconds clear of his Sky Procycling team-mate Chris Froome, with Kessiakoff now nine seconds back. The race continues today with a lumpy stage to Ponferrada.
In other news, preparations are continuing for the An Post Rás na mBan, which will be held between September 14th and 18th.
Irish time trial champion Caroline Ryan will head a strong Womenscycling.ie team, and will be joined by Fiona Meade, Cait Elliott, Francine Meehan, Melanie Späth and Laura Banfield.
Finally, the senior national track championships will be held in Sundrive Road tomorrow and Sunday. The schedule begins at 10.30 tomorrow and will feature sprint and pursuit races; Sunday’s contest will include the scratch race and short time trials.
FIXTURES: Saturday – Sunday: National Track championships, Sundrive Road; first event at 10.30. Charleville 2 Day, first stage at 3pm.
Sunday: Betty Darcy Memorial, starts noon in Gorey; RES Fintona GP, starts 1pm.
