Cyclist Miguel Ángel López has won the fifth stage in the Tour of San Juan in Argentina. The 28-year-old Colombian who currently plays for the small Colombian team Medellín EPM arrived solo at the Alto Colorado after 173.7 kilometers. Ángel López was 30 seconds ahead of Italian time trial specialist Filippo Ganna. Colombian champion Sergio Higuita crossed the finish line in third.
Ángel López also takes over the leader’s jersey from his compatriot Fernando Gaviria with the victory. The Colombian is 30 seconds ahead of Ganna and 44 seconds ahead of Higuita. The Tour of San Juan will last until Sunday.
The Colombian was fired from Astana this winter for allegedly having close ties to a controversial ‘doping doctor’. Ángel López signed a one-year contract with the Colombian team Medellín EPM, which plays on the continental level.
The final was opened by world champion Remco Evenepoel. The Belgian van Soudal – Quick Step attacked about 10 kilometers from the finish, but didn’t get very far on the almost 19 kilometer long climb. The Ineos riders took Evenepoel back 3 kilometers later, after which the Belgian also had to let the leading group go.
Ángel López tried to drive away together with Higuita, but Ganna and his Colombian teammate Egan Bernal joined again. Ángel López drove away with a second gear. Ganna, who set the world hour record last October, almost came back. In the steeper final kilometer, however, the Italian lost time again. Evenepoel crossed the finish line in seventh place at 1.09 behind Ángel López.
Source: ANP
