Yesterdays’ Vuelta Ciclista a Murcia was won by Rein Taaramae (Astana) by 10 seconds, but behind the Estonian, it was a bit of a mess.
After Taaramae crossed the line, cars and motorbikes were help up at the finish line, which impacted upon the group sprinting for the line. Riders chose to go either side of one of the team cars, and third placed rider Zdenek Stybar (Etixx Quick Step) said that it affected him in the sprint. Bauke Mollema (Trek Factory Racing) claimed second instead.
However, Stybar didn’t seem too disappointed, as he said afterwards, “I’m happy, but second place would also have been possible. A car blocked the line. Just before the finish line there was a parked car! I did not take any risk and chose a safe third place. Not bad, of course. Tomorrow I will do the Clasica de Almeria.”
1 Rein Taaramäe (Est) Astana
2 Bauke Mollema (Ned) Trek Factory Racing
3 Zdenek Stybar (Cze) Etixx-QuickStep
4 Fabio Felline (Ita) Trek Factory Racing
5 Luis Leon Sanchez (Spa) Astana
6 Maciej Paterski (Pol) CCC Sprandi Polkowice
7 Tiago Machado (Por) Team Katusha
8 Arthur Vichot (Fra) FDJ
9 Floris de Tier (Bel) Topsport Vlaanderen – Baloise
10 Marco Canola (Ita) UnitedHealthcare
