Hermida and Van Houts repeat at Andalucia

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Jose Antonio Hermida and Rudi Van Houts (Team Multivan Merida 1) prevailed today in a hard-fought contest against second-placed Luis Alberto Da Costa Leao Pinto and Tiago Jorge Ferreria Oliveira (Bicis Esteve 1), who finished 31 seconds back on the 78.1km stage.

Even though Van Houts crashed with 20km remaining, enabling their Bicis Esteve 1 rivals to overtake them, the Team Multivan Merida 1 team of Hermida and Van Houts fought back and overtook them to claim their second straight stage win as well as remain in the overall lead.

"In this stage we didn´t risk much because we were leaders already, but we wanted to gain more advantage to consolidate our leadership," said Hermida.

Likewise in the women's field, overnight leaders Sally Bigham and Milena Landtwing (Topeak-Ergon/ Centurion V) won their second straight stage and extended their overall advantage to more than eight minutes over Åsa Erlandsson and Kajsa Snihs (Team Snabeltutarna).

"In this first marathon stage we enjoyed the trails a lot and also the sunny weather, one of the reasons why I came back again," said Bigham.

Jose Urea Pulido and Jesus Lindez Gonzalez (Boulevard Bike Team) prevailed in the masters category and moved into the overall lead while Anna Villar Argente and Pablo Egeda Maldonado (Tomàs Bellès- Cannondale) won for the second straight day in the mixed category.