After a thrilling finale, professional cyclist Pascal Ackermann again narrowly missed out on a day’s victory in the Vuelta. Defending champion Roglic fell badly.
The 28-year-old Ackermann from Palatinate was only beaten by Danish ex-world champion Mads Pedersen in the sprint on Tuesday on the 16th stage after 189.4 kilometers from Sanlúcar de Barrameda to Tomares.
Ackermann got on the back wheel of the Slovenian about 2.5 kilometers after an attack by the Slovenian title defender Primoz Roglic. However, both were caught by Pedersen, third-placed Danny van Poppel (Netherlands) and Britain’s Fred Wright.
Roglic collides with Wright
Roglic then fell yards from the finish after colliding with Wright. The Vuelta winner of the last three editions then sat on the street with his right arm and leg covered in blood and apparently in shock.
“Roglic made the perfect attack. I waited too long on the last climb and then I couldn’t stay on the rear wheel. Mads was just way too strong today,” said Ackermann and added: “I really wanted to win today, now I still have a chance in Madrid.”
Evenepoel defends red despite the breakdown
There were only small changes at the top of the overall standings a day after the third rest day, despite the turbulence in the finale, although Belgian overall leader Remco Evenepoel broke down shortly after Roglic attacked and had to change his bike. But due to the three-kilometer rule, the 22-year-old Belgian was classified at the same time as the peloton and is now 1:26 minutes ahead of Roglic.
On Wednesday, the last of the three major national tours then enters the hot phase for overall victory. After 152.6 kilometers, the 17th stage ends with a mountain finish at 1095 meters on the Monasterio de Tentudia. The race ends next Sunday in Spain’s capital, Madrid.