Two for Hushovd
Thor Hushovd took his second consecutive victory in the Volta a Catalunya on Tuesday, storming to a...
Thor Hushovd took his second consecutive victory in the Volta a Catalunya on Tuesday, storming to a sprint victory ahead of Team High Road's Bernhard Eisel and Leonardo Duque (Cofidis). The Crédit Agricole rider questioned his ability to hold the overall lead after winning the opening prologue, but was able to get over the mid-stage category one ascent of the Alt dels Angels and then soar to the sprint win.
The 167.8 kilometre stage from Riudellots de la Selva to Banyoles began with 173 riders after Lampre's Christian Murro withdrew because of stomach problems. On the first climb, the category two Alt de Santa Pelaia, four riders broke clear: Dario Cioni (Silence-Lotto), Amets Txurruka (Euskaltel-Euskadi), Freddy Bichot (Agritubel) and José Luis Carrasco (Andalucía - Cajasur).
After Cioni took the points atop the climb with Txurruka and Bichot behind, the quartet extended their lead out to a maximum of five minutes by the next category three climb, where Txurruka crossed first ahead of Cioni and Carrasco. Behind them, the Crédit Agricole team came to the fore and, with Team High Road, began steadily eating away at the four riders' advantage.
As the race headed up the Alt dels Angels, a 480m category one ascent, the lead was down to 3'15" when Cioni, Txurruka and Carrasco crossed the top in that order. Lucas Euser (Slipstream) attacked the peloton to take fifth on the climb.
The leaders managed to hold on to contest the two intermediate sprints - both won by Bichot - before being reeled back in on the final circuit as the peloton prepared for the bunch sprint. Hushovd powered to the line to snatch his second win of the race ahead of Eisel and Duque.
Results
Thank you for reading 5 articles in the past 30 days*
Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read any 5 articles for free in each 30-day period, this automatically resets
After your trial you will be billed £4.99 $7.99 €5.99 per month, cancel anytime. Or sign up for one year for just £49 $79 €59
Join now for unlimited access
Try your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Most Popular
Latest on Cyclingnews
-
'Even with my best shape, it would be difficult to follow Tadej' - Mathieu van der Poel on the podium at Liège
'I'm happy because I didn't think I would get a podium spot until about 5km to go' says World Champion caught behind a mid-race crash -
As it happened: Grace Brown outsprints Elisa Longo Borghini, Demi Vollering at Liège-Bastogne-Liège Femmes
The peloton tackled the toughest route yet with 10 climbs across 153km -
Liège-Bastogne-Liège: Grace Brown wins breakaway sprint to claim Monument victory
Australian beats Elisa Longo Borghini and Demi Vollering -
'I was riding for Urška's mother today' - Tadej Pogačar's Liège win settles two years of pain
Winning a sixth Monument places the Slovenian amongst the all-time greats of the Spring Classics