Combative displays by Gibbons and Hirschi

Ryan Gibbons put in a thrilling display on stage 20 of the Vuelta España, spending 50km in a solo break, only to be swept up inside 4km to go.

The South-African went clear in a group of 16 riders including Matteo Trentin before moving away on the descent of the Alto de Mougas, pushing on bravely on the final climb before a chasing group of favourites pulled him back on the steep finishing slopes. The stage went to Clement Champoussin (AG2R-Citroen) who surprised the favourites, with Gibbons crossing the line in 8th place at 26’’ behind.

David De La Cruz (UAE Team Emirates) climbs the GC to 9th at 16’19 from race leader Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma) heading into the final day.

Gibbons:”It was the final road stage of this Vuelta so we decided to leave it all out there on the road and go for another stage win. Myself and Trentin got in the break and then I rolled off the front on the second last descent. Unfortunately the stage ended up being just a couple of kilometres too long for me to stay away but we gave it all today and I know Matteo did a top job behind.”

Tomorrow stage 21 the riders will take on the final stage, an individual time-trial of 30km from Padron to Santiago de Compostela.

 
Results 20th stage – Vuelta España
1.Clement Champoussin (AG2R-Citroen) 5:21:50
2.Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma) +6’’
3.Adam Yates (Ineos) +8’’

8.Ryan Gibbons (UAE Team Emirates) +26”

 
General classification after the 19th stage – Vuelta España
1. Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma) 77h49’37 ”
2. Enric Mas (Movistar) + 2’38 “
3.Jack Haig (Bahrain-Victorious) +4’48’’
9. David De La Cruz (UAE Team Emirates) + 16’19’’

 
Marc Hirschi showed a return to form with an aggressive race and 7th place on stage 6 of the Benelux Tour in Belgium.

The Swiss rider infiltrated the main move of the day alongside two riders from Bahrain-Victorious: Matej Mohoric and eventual stage winner Sonny Colbrelli. The 22-year old was left sprinting for 2nd place in a group 42’’ behind the lone leader.

The hilly parcours from Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve to Houffalize (207.6km) produced a shake-up in the GC also with Hirschi climbing 11 spots to 15th at 2’20 from new leader Colbrelli.

Tomorrow takes the riders from Namur to Geraardsbergen (181.8km) on the final day of the race.

Results stage 6 Benelux Tour

1.Sonny Colbrelli (Bahrain-Victorious) 4:55:27
2.Matej Mohoric (Bahrain-Victorious) +42’’
3.Jasper Stuyven (Trek-Segafredo) s.t
7.Marc Hirschi (UAE Team Emirates) s.t

General Classification after stage 6

1.Sonny Colbrelli (UAE Team Emirates) 4:55:27
2.Matej Mohoric (Bahrain-Victorious) +42”
3.Victor Campenaerts (Qhubeka-NextHash) s.t
15.Marc Hirschi (UAE Team Emirates) s.t