Philipsen wins Vuelta 2nd stage as Roglic keeps overall lead
BURGOS, Spain (AP) - Alpecin-Fenix rider Jasper Philipsen came out on top in the final sprint to win the second stage of the Spanish Vuelta on Sunday, with two-time defending champion Primoz Roglic keeping his overall lead.
Philipsen edged Fabio Jakobsen at the end of the 166-kilometer (103-mile) flat stage that finished in Burgos. Michael Matthews was third.
It was the Belgian's second Grand Tour stage win after also winning in the Spanish Vuelta last year.
"It´s incredible," Philipsen said. "It was amazing to see all my teammates there and everybody was on the frontline. I trusted the team and I think we did a really good job. We can be happy tonight."
Roglic, the first-stage winner, safely managed the windy conditions on Sunday to retain the leader's red jersey ahead of the first summit finish of the three-week race that will end in Santiago de Compostela. Alex Aranburu is second overall.
Roglic was able to avoid a crash at the peloton with about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) to go.
Alpecin-Fenix's Jasper Philipsen from Belgium celebrates after winning the second stage between Caleruega-Burgos, 166,7 kilometers, of the La Vuelta cycling race in the province of Burgos, northern Spain, Sunday, Aug. 15, 2021. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)
"You need to be on a survival mode in such stages where crashes can happen. You need a bit of luck," Roglic said. "I know nothing of tomorrow´s uphill finish. We´ll see tomorrow how much I like it."
Riders will face a tough mountain pass in Monday's 202.8-kilometer (126-mile) third stage.
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Alpecin-Fenix's Jasper Philipsen from Belgium celebrates after winning the second stage between Caleruega-Burgos, 166,7 kilometers, of the La Vuelta cycling race in the province of Burgos, northern Spain, Sunday, Aug. 15, 2021. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)
Alpecin-Fenix's Jasper Philipsen from Belgium celebrates on the podium after winning the second stage between Caleruega-Burgos, 166,7 kilometers, of La Vuelta cycling race in the province of Burgos, northern Spain, Sunday, Aug. 15, 2021. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)
Alpecin-Fenix's Jasper Philipsen from Belgium celebrates on the podium after winning the second stage between Caleruega-Burgos, 166,7 kilometers, of La Vuelta cycling race in the province of Burgos, northern Spain, Sunday, Aug. 15, 2021. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)
Jumbos-Visa's Primoz Roglic from Slovenia, red-shirt La Vuelta leader, waves on the podium at the end of the second stage between Caleruega-Burgos, 166,7 kilometers, of La Vuelta cycling race in the province of Burgos, northern Spain, Sunday, Aug. 15, 2021. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)
Jumbos-Visa's Primoz Roglic from Slovenia, red-shirt La Vuelta leader, waves on the podium at the end of the second stage between Caleruega-Burgos, 166,7 kilometers, of La Vuelta cycling race in the province of Burgos, northern Spain, Sunday, Aug. 15, 2021. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)
Alpecin-Fenix's Jasper Philipsen from Belgium, center, crosses the finish line winning the second stage between Caleruega-Burgos, 166,7 kilometers, of the La Vuelta cycling race in the province of Burgos, northern Spain, Sunday, Aug. 15, 2021. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)
Alpecin-Fenix's Jasper Philipsen from Belgium celebrates after winning the second stage between Caleruega-Burgos, 166,7 kilometers, of the La Vuelta cycling race in the province of Burgos, northern Spain, Sunday, Aug. 15, 2021. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)
