Gutiérrez, again 2nd in Valencia; Van Vleuten remains in orange

LA RIOJA, SURPASSED THIS TIME BY ALICE BARNES (CSR) IN THE SPRINT OF THE FAST THIRD DAY IN LEVANTINE LANDS, WHERE MOVISTAR TEAM DID NOT STRUGGLE TO RETAIN THE LEAD BEFORE THE FINISH, ON SUNDAY, IN ALICANTE.

The British champion Alice Barnes (CSR) clearly prevailed in a very fast -almost 44 km/h- third day of the Setmana Valenciana, over 120 km between Sagunto and Valencia. Sheyla Gutiérrez (Movistar Team) repeated her 2nd place the day before, after another great effort by her teammates in pursuit of the massive sprint and defending the leadership of Annemiek van Vleuten.

The Dutch rider, who crossed the finish line in 10th place, took some time (6″) on her main rival in the general classification, Mavi García (ALE), after a stage altered by a massive crash, during which fortunately the six telephone riders avoided, although Gutiérrez herself had to get around it skillfully. Van Vleuten will thus face the decisive stage tomorrow with 2’16” over García and 2’30” with a Katrine Aalerud -3rd overall- also very active, along with her teammates González and Patiño, in group work .

This Sunday expects a tough final battle in the 114 km between Finestrat and Alicante, with the long Tudons (1st) and the Benifallim (2nd) and Collao (3rd) as the main obstacles for a previously unalterable blue group.

Cover image (c): Photo Gomez Sport

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