Vuelta a Burgos: Isaychev wins in Villadiego

Vladimir Isaychev (Katusha) outsprinted his breakaway companions to claim victory on stage 3 of the Vuelta a Burgos in Villadiego, while Luis Leon Sanchez (Astana) finished safely in the main bunch to retain the overall lead.

Isaychev, a Russian resident in Galicia, was part of the day’s early break that was swept back up by the peloton but, undeterred, he tried his luck once again as part of a move with Matteo Busato (Southeast), Miguel Angel Benito (Caja Rural-Seguros RGA) and Carlos Quintero (Colombia).

That quartet struck up a solid working alliance, and they were aided, too, by the fact that the fast finishers’ teams were well-represented in the group. Astana led the main peloton and gave chase, but were unable to shut the gap completely in the closing kilometres.

Isaychev responded to several attacks in the finale, and then unleashed a fine sprint to take the win ahead of Busato, while Benito held off Quintero for third. The peloton came home 15 seconds later, led by the Southeast pair of Rafael Andriato and Manuel Belletti.

“As we had a very high pace in the last few kilometres it was impossible to get away from our group. I preferred to await the sprint,” Isaychev said. “I saw the finish line when we passed it on the previous laps so I knew where and when to start my sprint. I was pretty sure regarding my sprint. Finally it worked perfectly. I am very happy with this victory and I hope it is just the beginning for me. I feel I reached a good level now.”

The top of the overall standings are dominated by the Astana team, winners of the stage 2 team time trial. Luis Leon Sanchez remains in the overall lead, one second clear of Rein Taaramae, Colombian talent Miguel Angel Lopez and Michele Scarponi. Miguel Angel Benito moves up to 5th thanks to his presence in the break, albeit 25 seconds down on Sanchez.

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