Valverde takes Catalonia second stage

March 25, 2015 | 10:04

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Spain's Alejandro Valverde won a sprint finish to claim the second stage of the Tour of Catalonia on Tuesday.

File photo of Spain's Alejandro Valverde during the Tour de France cycling race on Jul 18, 2014 (AFP/Lionel Bonaventure)

OLOT, Spain: Spain's Alejandro Valverde won a sprint finish to claim the second stage of the Tour of Catalonia on Tuesday (Mar 24).

Poland's Maciej Paterski maintained his overall lead in the race, following the 191.8km run from Mataro to Olot. He had won Monday's opening stage after being part of a three-man breakaway that finished almost three minutes ahead of the peloton.

Movistar's Valverde edged out team-mate and compatriot Jose Joaquim Rojas and Switzerland's Martin Elminger of IAM in the sprint finish after more than five hours in the saddle.

Wednesday's 156.6km stage starts and finishes in Girona. Former Tour de France winners Chris Froome of Britain and Spain's Alberto Contador are among the riders expected to challenge Valverde for overall victory, although last year's winner Joaquim Rodriguez pulled out of the race on Sunday due to a stomach virus.

AFP

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