Kaden Groves emerged victorious in the sprint finish to claim the second stage of the Spanish Vuelta on Sunday, as Wout van Aert secured second place to don the coveted red leader’s jersey. The Australian cyclist from Alpecin-Deceuninck showcased his resilience over the 194-kilometer (120.5-mile) course from Cascais to Ourem. In a post-race statement, Groves expressed delight in kickstarting the Vuelta on a high note, especially after a tough season without any wins until now. He credited his strong performance to the unwavering support of his team.
Van Aert, representing Visma-Lease a Bike, crossed the finish line just behind Groves but snagged the top spot in the general classification leaderboard, leading by three seconds over American rider Brandon McNulty from UAE Team Emirates. McNulty had clinched victory in Saturday’s opening stage, a 12-kilometer (7.5-mile) individual time trial from Lisbon to Oeiras. Reflecting on his performance, Van Aert expressed his desire to claim the stage win but acknowledged the collective effort of his team in ensuring a bunch sprint. He noted the significance of finishing among the top three, which secured him the red jersey.
Unfortunately, Van Aert’s teammate Dylan van Baarle had to retire from the competition following a crash. The Vuelta’s initial stages are set in Portugal, with the upcoming third stage on Monday featuring a challenging 191.2-kilometer (118.8-mile) undulating route from Lousa to Castelo Branco. This year’s Vuelta spans three weeks, culminating in the grand finale in Madrid, the last of the season’s Grand Tours. The race includes a rigorous schedule comprising eight mountain stages and two individual time-trials, with only one flat stage on the roster.