Deceuninck-Alpecin’s Kaden Groves claimed his fifth career Vuelta a España stage victory on Sunday’s second stage, beating Wout van Aert in a bunch sprint, but the Belgian’s consolation was snatching the red jersey from Brandon McNulty. Michael Woods stayed out of trouble and placed 29th, jumping up 50 spots on GC.
The Course
The second day in Portugal began in Cascais and finished 194 km later in Ourém, offering one Cat. 4 soon after the start and one Cat. 4 cresting 19 km from the line. There was no blue polka dot King of the Mountains overnight, but there would be one on the Ourém podium. There was an uphill finish.
A bumpy terrain between Cascais and Ourem, but a big chance of a bunch sprint at the end of #LaVuelta24 stage 2. pic.twitter.com/WuCaGciUfe
— Soudal Quick-Step Pro Cycling Team (@soudalquickstep) August 18, 2024
The first breakaway of the 79th edition consisted of two fellows from ProTeams, Ibon Ruiz of Equipo Kern Pharma and Luis Ángel Maté of Euskaltel-Euskadi, the latter claiming the first KOM points atop Alto do Lagoa Azu. After 73 km the pace was a stately 34.4 km/h. With 50 km to go, the duo was caught. Dylan van Baarle, who had crashed earlier in the day, was the first rider to abandon the race.
Fourth place Stefan Küng was first over the second Cat. 4; he’ll wear the blue polka dots on Monday. Second place Mathias Vacek crashed into a spectator and lagged behind the peloton, but he made it back and stays in the GC top-3.
With 3 km to go DSM-Firmenich PostNL led the peloton. A crash took down Joshua Tarling and several others a kilometer later. Edoardo Affini led out Wout van Aert, who went early. Groves came around on the Belgian’s right and celebrated a fistful of wins after he crossed the line.
Monday’s route includes the first Cat. 2 of the race, but it too should conclude with a bunch sprint.
2024 Vuelta a España Stage 2
1) Kaden Groves (Australia/Alpecin-Deceuninck) 5:12:55
2) Wout van Aert (Belgium/Visma-Lease a Bike) s.t.
3) Corbin Strong (New Zealand/Israel-Premier Tech) s.t.
29) Michael Woods (Canada/Israel-Premier Tech) s.t.
2024 Vuelta a España GC
1) Wout van Aert (Belgium/Visma-Lease a Bike) 5:25:27
2) Brandon McNulty (USA/UAE-Emirates) +0:03
3) Mathias Vacek (Czech Republic/Lidl-Trek) +0:05
68) Michael Woods (Canada/Israel-Premier Tech) +1:22
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