Solo masterclass by Majka in Spain as Kristoff triumphs in Germany

UAE Team Emirates’s Sunday of glory began with Rafal Majka’s winning ride under the sun in the 15th stage of the Vuelta España.

The Polish climber successfully completed a solitary escape that started 90 km from the finish line of the stage between Navalmoral de la Mata to El Barraco (197.5 km with two 1st category GPM, a 2nd category GPM and a 3rd category GPM).

Majka attacked and went clear in the company of Fabio Aru (Team Qhubeka NextHash), before escaping solo, managing his energy and his resistance to the heat in the best possible way to be able to keep the main chasers at a distance, with the nearest being Steven Kruijswijk (Jumbo- Visma), who reached the finish line 1m27 ” min behind.

Good performance also for David De La Cruz: the Spaniard completed the race in the group of the main men of the classification, taking home 9th place of the day (+ 2’57 “from the winner) and maintaining the 15th position in the general classification (+ 7’11 “from the leader Eiking).

Majka: “To go in the break, the important thing is to have good legs but, sometimes, these are not always enough to stay away. Today I tried from the start to attack, with the fixed idea of ​​winning the stage in mind, in order to dedicate the success to my father, my two children and UAE Team Emirates, a really great team.
I am very happy, it is nice to be able to celebrate after a bad start to the season, and to be able to dedicate it to my dad who passed away just 3 months ago”.

The Vuelta now heads into the second rest day before beginning the final week with the 16th stage, 180 km from Laredo to Santa Cruz de Bezana on a path with a choppy elevation profile.

Stage 15 Vuelta España results
1. Rafal Majka (UAE Team Emirates) 4h51’36 “
2. Steven Kruiijswijk (Jumbo-Visma) + 1’27 ”
3. Chris Hamilton (Team DSM) + 2’19 ”

General classification after the 15th stage – Vuelta España
1. Christian Odd Eiking (Intermarché-Wanty) 59h57’50 ”
2. Guillaume Martin (Cofidis) +54 ”
3. Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma) + 1’36 ”
15. David De La Cruz (UAE Team Emirates) + 7’11 “

UAE Team Emirates is also celebrating in Germany after the success of Alexander Kristoff in the 4th and final stage of the Deutschland Tour (Erlanger-Nuremberg of 156.3 km).

After winning the 2nd stage in the sprint, the Norwegian hit the double thanks to a strong effort in the final straight. Kristoff waited a few moments before opening up in the middle of the road which led him to overtake Pascal Ackermann (Bora-hansgrohe) and Luca Mozzato (B&B Hotels).

Today’s success (27th of the season for UAE Team Emirates) earned Kristoff 3rd place in the final overall standings, won by Nils Politt (Bora-hansgrohe).

Kristoff: “It was a very fruitful week for the team and for me, with two stage wins and the podium in the overall standings: perfect balance, I didn’t expect to be able to achieve so much.
Today the team worked perfectly for me in the final part, the race was tough, but I had good legs to stay ahead.
In the sprint I followed Ackermann when he overtook me and then I jumped off his wheel at the right moment ”.

Results 4th stage – Deutschland Tour
1. Alexander Kristoff (UAE Team Emirates) 3h33’25 “
2. Pascal Ackermann (Bora-hansgrohe) s.t.
3. Luca Mozzato (B&B Hotels) s.t.

Final general classification – Deutschland Tour
1. Nils Politt (Bora-hansgrohe) 16h29’41 ”
2. Pascal Ackermann (Bora-hansgrohe) +4 ”
3. Alexander Kristoff (UAE Team Emirates) s.t.