It was the last day for the fast people in Spain for the time being: Jasper Philipsen won the 8th stage of the 80th Vuelta a España in the mass sprint.
The 27-year-old Belgian from Team Alpecin-Deceuninck prevailed after 163.5 kilometers from Monzón to Saragossa in front of the Italian old master Elia Viviani (Lotto) and the British Ethan Vernon (Israel Prime Minister Tech) and celebrated his second day of the day at this year’s tour of Spain. Viviani lost his placement due to an illegal sprint afterwards.
Philipsen’s driver Jonas Rickaert had attracted the sprint for the team Alpecin around Philipsen, which was already dominated throughout the stage. However, the Belgian had lost his compatriot from the rear wheel, so that the reacting Viviani almost looked like the safe winner. But Philipsen came from behind again and skipped the Italian over the last meters.
“Can’t complain to us”
“We won. We cannot complain”, “ said Philipsen, 2023 winner of the green jerseys at the Tour de France: “It’s a hard vuelta. But winning two stages is good.”
At the Tour de France this year, the 27 -year -old Belgian triumphed on the first stage, but had to give up two days later after a severe fall. Philipsen had suffered a broken collarbone and a rib fracture.
Traeen stays in front
The red jersey of the overall leader defended the Norwegian Torstein Traeen (Bahrain-Victorious) without any problems. Traeen is 2:33 minutes in front of the two-time tour winner and top favorite Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a bike).
On Sunday there is a demanding mountain arrival on the ninth part of the very mountain-heavy Spain tour from Alfaro to the Valdezcaray ski area. Realistic opportunities can also calculate the daily victory with good climbing skills.