Headline: Andreas Leknessund Claims Stage Victory at Vuelta a España Amid National Mourning
Andreas Leknessund secured a historic victory for the Uno-X Mobility team on stage seven of the Vuelta a España, marking the team’s first stage win in their debut at the prestigious race. The 27-year-old Norwegian athlete achieved this milestone in a 149.8km course from Vall d’Alba, culminating in a challenging climb at Aramon Valdelinares.
Leknessund, who had previously finished second on four occasions during the Giro d’Italia, celebrated his first grand tour stage win today. This race marks his fifth participation in a three-week event and his first experience at the Vuelta.
He dominated the stage by remaining in the breakaway throughout the day, ultimately breaking away solo with just 6 kilometers left to the summit. As he crossed the finish line, he raised his arms in triumph, grinning with joy.
His victory comes just a day after the passing of King Harald V of Norway. Teammate Tobias Halland Johannessen, who finished in second place, expressed pride in their performance, stating, “I’m super proud of how we rode, and he was super strong the whole day. Perfect day, also a special day with what’s happening back home in Norway, so we’re super proud.”
With this win, Leknessund becomes the first Norwegian to claim a stage of the Vuelta since world champion Thor Hushovd in 2010. Reflecting on the emotional significance of the win, Leknessund remarked, “It’s really hard to say, I didn’t expect it to be this emotional, but for sure there is so much feeling around this. I’ve been fighting really hard, it means a lot.”
He credited Johannessen for his support during the race, emphasizing their teamwork. “Tobias came up, he gave me confidence we can win… I’m really proud and grateful,” he said.
Notably, Leknessund is the first rider outside of Tadej Pogacar or Matthew Brennan to triumph in a stage of this year’s Vuelta. In a strong performance, Wout van Aert from Visma-Lease a Bike finished third and reclaimed the green jersey classification lead from overall leader Pogacar.
Meanwhile, Pogacar demonstrated his strength by surging ahead of Felix Gall and Enric Mas on the climb, extending his overall lead and now sits 3’50” ahead of Mas, with four-time winner Primoz Roglic trailing in third place at 4’50” back.
As the competition intensifies, Felix Gall moved into fourth overall, and Britain’s Oscar Onley remains a contender for the best young riders’ classification, despite losing more time to the leader.
Andreas Leknessund led home a Norwegian one-two on stage seven of the Vuelta a Espana, sealing a first stage win for his Uno-X Mobility team on their debut at the race.
Leknessund had been second on four different stages of the Giro d’Italia – three times in this year’s edition – but had never won a grand tour stage until today, with the 27-year-old appearing in his fifth three-week race and first Vuelta.
Advertisement
He spent all day in the breakaway on the hilly 149.8km run from Vall d’Alba before going solo with 6km remaining on the difficult final climb, the category-one Aramon Valdelinares, punching the air in delight as he crossed the line at the summit.
His win came a day after the death of Norway’s King Harald V, with Leknessund’s teammate and second-place finisher Tobias Halland Johannessen saying: “I’m super proud of how we rode, and he was super strong the whole day. Perfect day, also a special day with what’s happening back home in Norway, so we’re super proud.”
No Norwegian had won a stage of the Vuelta since former world champion Thor Hushovd in the 2010 edition.
Leknessund said: “It’s really hard to say, I didn’t expect it to be this emotional, but for sure there is so much feeling around this. I’ve been fighting really hard, it means a lot.
Advertisement
“Tobias came up, he gave me confidence we can win, I believed he was the best climber in the group. Maybe he was, I think, but we had ambition that one of us can have a gap on the last climb, he let my wheel go and basically gave me the win, and I’m really proud and grateful.
“It’s been a special day for the team and also for the whole of Norway. It’s a small thing in the bigger picture but still it makes the day more special.”
Leknessund is the first rider not named Tadej Pogacar or Matthew Brennan to win a stage of this Vuelta, with nearly a week of racing completed.
Visma-Lease a Bike’s Wout van Aert, who also rode in the breakaway all day, finished third and amassed enough points to take the lead in the green jersey classification from overall race leader Pogacar.
Advertisement
Further back down the climb Pogacar accelerated to drop Felix Gall and Enric Mas, powering away from two of his closest challengers to add another 16 seconds to his lead over second-placed Mas in the overall standings. “We’re here to win and not fool around,” the six-time grand tour winner said afterwards.
The Spaniard now sits 3’50” behind Pogacar with four-time winner Primoz Roglic still in third, 4’50” off the pace.
Decathlon CMA CGM’s Felix Gall moved up to fourth, 11 seconds behind Roglic, while Britain’s Oscar Onley, who leads the best young riders’ classification, moved up to sixth despite losing another 30 seconds to Pogacar. The 24-year-old is now 6’06” behind the Slovenian.
[/gpt3]