(Utrecht) Cycling fans in the Netherlands were treated to a pleasant surprise on Saturday when their compatriot Mike Teunissen took the red jersey of the leader of the Tour of Spain at the end of the second stage, won by the ‘Irish Sam Bennett.
Posted at 2:56 p.m.
Defending champion Primoz Roglic remained near the top of the overall standings.
Teunissen finished fourth in the stage, in the sprint, and he became the second cyclist from the Netherlands to climb to the top of the general classification of the 2022 edition of the Vuelta, after Robert Gesink, his teammate at Jumbo-Visma , leader following the initial stage.
PHOTO PETER DEJONG, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Mike Teunissen
“Actually, that was not the goal. I have been saying for several days already that we are here, mainly, to take care of Primoz,” Teunissen said.
“This morning the guys surprised me a bit by saying that if everything goes according to plan and Primoz opts for caution in the last three kilometers, we could see if I could be the one to cross the finish line in first. In my native country, with a lot of people encouraging me, it’s really fantastic for me and for everyone, ”he continued.
Bennett covered the 175.1 km distance in 3 hours 49 minutes 34 seconds, ahead of Mads Pedersen and Tim Merlier, who set the same times. This is his first stage victory at a Grand Tour event since the 2020 edition of the Vuelta.
“I knew I would do it again; it was a matter of having good legs,” said Bennett.
“I’m very happy with my level, but I think the experience and the guys made a difference today. There could be another sprint tomorrow. We will present ourselves there with the same enthusiasm. »
The only Canadian entered in the competition, Michael Woods finished in 29e place of the stage, within the leading peloton. In the general classification, he occupies the 93e rung 64 seconds from the leader.
Chasing a fourth consecutive Tour of Spain triumph — which would represent an unprecedented feat — Roglic stayed inside the main peloton and holds fourth place overall, behind Sam Oomen, Edoardo Affini and Teunissen, with identical times of 4:14:14.
Roglic didn’t appear to be bothered by the injuries that have hampered his preparations for the competition.
The Slovenian is trying to become the second cyclist to sign four triumphs in the Tour of Spain after the Spaniard Roberto Heras (2000, 2003-2005).
The first three stages are contested in the Netherlands after the coronavirus pandemic upended Tour of Spain organizers’ plans to hold stages there in each of the past two years.
The third stage, on Sunday, will be presented on totally flat ground and will also end with a sprint to the finish line.