Jakob Fuglsang In awful crash - Fabian Cancellara Keeps The Jersey
Category: Global NewsThe longest stage over 225 kilometers in this year's edition of the Vuelta a Espana unfolded on a spectacular route in the Dutch/Belgian landscape between Venlo and Liege very similar to the courses of Amstel Gold Race and Liege-Bastogne-Liege. One could expect the muscular classic riders to seize this unique opportunity to take the victory on this fourth stage of the Tour of Spain.
Four riders Javier Ramirez (Andalucia Cajasur), Sergey Lagutin (Vacansoleil), Dominik Roels (Milram) og Lars Boom (Rabobank) seized their opportunity to break free early on the rainy stage and they soon created a gap of nearly 15 minutes to the peloton before Team Saxo Bank went to the front and started wheeling them back in.
Thirty kilometers from the finish line Team Saxo Bank caught Lars Boom (Rabobank) and Sergey Lagutin (Vacansoleil) which instantly gave hope for other eager riders who tried their luck on the slippery surface in order to catch the two remaining riders in the front group.
But as the caravan of the Vuelta made it to Liege the decision was made in a bunch sprint. However, most of the peloton was down in a crash in a roundabout only 2,5 kilometers from the finish line. Only six riders made it to the finish line in the first group and here Andre Greipel (Columbia) was the fastest rider.
Since the crash happened within the last three kilometers of the stage the riders involved in the crash will have the same time as the winner of the stage. This means that Team Saxo Bank's Swiss champion, Fabian Cancellara is still in the lead of the race.
Team Saxo Bank's young hopeful Jakob Fuglsang had one of the most frightful crashes of the day when he ran into a parked tractor-trailor. He was able to return to the peloton after the wreck and intends to continue, despite having serious injuries.