Volta a Portugal: Abner González soars to victory on queen stage
Artem Nych moves into overall race lead with only individual time trial remaining on Sunday
Abner González (Efapel Cycling) charged to the summit of Monte Farinha on stage 9 of the Volta a Portugal and claimed the victory on the queen stage.
Artem Nych (Sabgal-Anicolor) crossed the finish six seconds back at Mondim de Basto next to the Senhora da Graça sanctuary and moved into the overall race lead, displacing Portuguese rider Afonso Eulálio (ABTF Betão-Feirense). He joined the day’s breakaway of 30 riders early on and stayed at the front of the race until the final 200 metres to move from 13th to the GC lead.
González conquered the 10km climb of the 170.8km stage, but only distancing Nych in the final section, with David Delgado (Burgos-BH) in third, 22 seconds back. He used the ride to move 14 positions in the general classification, now 49 seconds behind the new race leader Nych.
“I’m happy, very happy! This stage was very special for me and the team was great. We wanted to change and turn things around and everyone’s work was huge. Tomorrow is a very important day. We’re going to fight to win the Tour of Portugal, but we’ll see what happens”, said Nych, who won stage 6 after the rest day.
Sunday brings the finale of the 10-day stage race, a hilly 26.6km individual time trial in Viseu.
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Jackie has been involved in professional sports for more than 30 years in news reporting, sports marketing and public relations. She founded Peloton Sports in 1998, a sports marketing and public relations agency, which managed projects for Tour de Georgia, Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah and USA Cycling. She also founded Bike Alpharetta Inc, a Georgia non-profit to promote safe cycling. She is proud to have worked in professional baseball for six years - from selling advertising to pulling the tarp for several minor league teams. She has climbed l'Alpe d'Huez three times (not fast). Her favorite road and gravel rides are around horse farms in north Georgia (USA) and around lavender fields in Provence (France), and some mtb rides in Park City, Utah (USA).
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