The general classification times of the 2nd stage of the Vuelta on Sunday will be frozen with 9 kilometers from the finish, at the entrance of the Montjuic circuit, in Barcelona, due to the heavy rains which fell on Catalonia, announced race organizers.
This decision, acclaimed by several riders in the morning, should allow the leaders of the general classification not to get involved in the fight for the stage victory in the ascent and especially in the descent of the hill of Montjuic: 9 km very techniques to the finish line in Barcelona.
The bonuses awarded at the top of the Montjuic hill and at the finish line will, however, be maintained, the organizers said. Sixteen seconds are to be taken, which could arouse the greed of several riders aiming for the red jersey of Italian Lorenzo Milesi the day after a controversial team time trial.
In the rain, the DSM-Firmenich team of Frenchman Romain Bardet won at the end of this stage marked by crashes and a gradual drop in light which forced the last teams to start, including the Soudal Quick-Step of Remco Evenepoel, defending champion, to run despite low light.
