The sprinter from the Trek-Segafredo formation dominated in the uphill sprint the Frenchman Bryan Coquard (Cofidis), who started too far, and the German from the UAE formation Pascal Ackermann, who finished third.
After having folded twice in the sprint against the Irishman Sam Bennett in the Netherlands (2nd and 3rd stages), and after giving in to Primoz Roglic during the 4th stage in Laguardia, the 2019 road world champion holds finally his first victory on the Spanish loop this year.
On Friday, three men made up the breakaway of the day: Julius van den Berg (EF Education), Ander Okamika (Burgos BH) and Joan Bou (Euskaltel-Euskadi), regulars in the exercise, came out from the start, and were caught 9.5 kilometers from the line.
Note the abandonment of Frenchman Thibault Guernalec (Arkéa) victim of a fall about sixty kilometers from the finish.
The general classification remains unchanged: Remco Evenepoel (Quick-Step) remains the leader with 2 minutes and 41 seconds ahead of his first pursuer, the three-time Slovenian title holder Primoz Roglic.
“Everything is fine. I slept very well, the injuries seem to have already healed relatively well, so everything is fine”, reassured the red jersey at the start of the 13th stage in Ronda, after falling during the day before stage. “It could be better, but it’s okay,” he repeated on arrival.
– The Covid-19 saves Ayuso –
The day was marked by the young Spanish hopeful of the UAE formation Juan Ayuso.
Fifth overall, Ayuso tested positive for Covid-19 but took the start of this 13th stage. “Ayuso’s tests gave results that are in the green, he is in the zone where the viral load is reduced,” explained his sports director Joxean Fernandez Matxin.
“Some go home without knowing their viral load. Others continue to run knowing that they are positive while waiting for the result of their viral load. Let the circus continue”, reacted on Twitter Jesus Herrada, the runner of Cofidis who had to give up before the start of the 10th stage on Tuesday.
On the Tour de France, Rafal Majka (UAE) and Bob Jungels (AG2R) were also able to continue the race despite positive tests, presenting a low viral load, in accordance with the health protocol of the International Cycling Union (UCI ).
On Saturday, the peloton finds some relief, with three 3rd, 2nd then 1st category passes, and a finish at the top of the Sierra de la Pandera in Andalusia, in the south of the country.
