Professional cyclist Pascal Ackermann narrowly missed out on victory on the 13th stage of the 77th Tour of Spain. After 168.4 kilometres from Ronda to Montilla, the 28-year-old from the Palatinate was beaten in the sprint by the Danish stage winner Mads Pedersen and the Frenchman Bryan Coquard.
Ackermann had opened the final sprint early, but had to let former world champion Pedersen and Coquard pass him and is still waiting for his third Vuelta stage win.
Remco Evenepoel once again defended the overall leader's red jersey with ease. At 2:41 minutes, the 22-year-old Belgian continues to lead ahead of the Slovenian title defender Primoz Roglic. Third is the Spaniard Enric Mas, 3:03 minutes behind Belgium's great cycling hope Evenepoel.
Ayuso continues despite corona
Another rider, Juan Ayuso, who finished fifth overall, tested positive for the coronavirus. According to Ayuso's UAE Team Emirates, the 19-year-old Spaniard is symptom-free and at low risk of infection. In consultation with the medical officials of the Vuelta and the UCI, it was therefore decided to leave Ayuso in the race. In the past few days, numerous riders have had to withdraw from the race due to positive corona tests.
The battle for positions in the overall standings will continue on the 14th stage on Saturday. After 160.3 kilometres, the day's stage ends with the mountain finish at an altitude of 1815 metres on the Sierra de La Pandera.
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