Philipsen wins stage eight as Traeen retains Vuelta lead

On stage eight, Belgium’s Jasper Philipsen won the second stage of this year’s Vuelta a Espana.

Elia Viviani (Lotto) and Ethan Vernon (Israel-Premier Tech) of Great Britain were the only riders who completed the 163.5km stage from Monzon Templario to Zaragoza, finishing third overall.

Because of the concrete in my legs, I had to find my way, withstand a little more wind, and come really late.

“But I did just win, and the team’s work was not in vain,” I said.

Every Grand Tour victory is always special, and it’s never easy. To get here, you must spend a lot of days in the mountains. With the win, it will always be a bit easier, but from now on, it will be a tough Vuelta.

With 13 stages left, general classification leader Torstein Traeen (Bahrain Victorious) retains the red jersey and is still one minute, 33 seconds ahead of Visma-Lease a Bike’s Jonas Vingegaard.

1. Jasper Philipsen (BEL/Alpecin-Deceuninck) 3 hrs 4 mins 48 secs

2. Same time Elia Viviani (ITA/Lotto).

3. Same time as Ethan Vernon (GBR/Israel-Premier Tech).

4. At the same time, Arne Marit (BEL/Intermarche-Wanty).

5. Anders Foldager (DEN/Team Jayco AlUla) at the same time

6. Same time Bryan Coquard (FRA/Cofidis).

7. Same time as Madis Mihkels (EST/EF Education – EasyPost).

8. Same time as Thibaud Gruel (FRA/Groupama-FDJ).

9. Same time as Fabio Christen (SUI/Q36. 5 Pro Cycling Team).

1. Torstein Traeen (NOR/Bahrain Victorious) 29 hrs 1 min 50 secs

2. Jonas Vingegaard (DEN/Team Visma-Lease a Bike) + 2 minutes 33 secs

3. Joao Almeida (POR/UAE Team Emirates-XRG) + 2 minutes, 41 seconds

4. Giulio Ciccone (ITA/Lidl-Trek) + 2 minutes, 42 seconds

5. Lorenzo Fortunato (ITA/XDS Astana Team) + 2 minutes, 47 seconds

6. Matteo Jorgenson (USA/Team Visma-Lease a Bike) + 2 minutes, 49 seconds

7. Jai Hindley (AUS/Red Bull-BORA hansgrohe) + 2 minutes 53 secs

8. Giulio Pellizzari (ITA/Red Bull-BORA hansgrohe) at the same time

9. Egan Bernal (COL/INEOS Grenadiers) + 2 min, 55 sec.