Volta a Catalunya 2022: Ben O’Connor wins and takes race lead in La Molina

Results 3rd stage 2022 Volta a Catalunya

1. Ben O’Connor (aus)
2. Juan Ayuso (spa) + 0.06
3. Nairo Quintana (col) s.t.
4. Sergio Higuita (col) s.t.
5. João Almeida (por) s.t.
6. Wout Poels (nld) s.t.
7. Giulio Ciccone (ita) s.t.
8. Tobias Halland Johannessen (nor) s.t.
9. Guillaume Martin (fra) s.t.
10. Damien Howson (aus) + 0.09

General Classification
1. Ben O’Connor (aus)
2. Juan Ayuso (spa) + 0.10
3. Nairo Quintana (col) + 0.12
4. Sergio Higuita (col) + 0.16
5. Giulio Ciccone (ita) s.t.
6. Tobias Halland Johannessen (nor) s.t.
7. Wout Poels ((nld) s.t.
8. Guillaume Martin (fra) s.t.
9. João Almeida (por) s.t.
10. Steven Kruijswijk (nld) + 0.19

11. Sam Oomen (nld) s.t.
13. Richard Carapaz (ecu) s.t.
16. Alejandro Valverde (spa) s.t.
20. Esteban Chaves (col) + 0.25

Race report
Casper Pedersen and Ander Okamika initiate the breakaway after roughly 20 kilometres. Simon Petilli and Mikel Bizkarra join them and the four carve out a lead of 8 minutes.

Okamika takes most KOM points at the summit of the two intermediate climbs to move into the mountain jersey.

The lead has fallen below 1 minute at the foot of the finish climb.

Henri Vandenabeele attacks from the peloton with 10 kilometres to go. The young Belgian rejoins the last attacker, Bizkarra, and continues on his own. Ben O’Connor goes after him and makes the catch inside the last 8 kilometres.

The Aussi drops Vandenabeele, while Simon Yates can’t follow the pace in the peloton.

O’Connor opens a 30 seconds gap and he grinds his way up the mountain. The chasers come closer in the last kilometres, but the Tour de France stage winner stands his ground. He wins in La Molina and moves into the GC lead, 10 seconds ahead of Juan Ayuso with Nairo Quintana 2 seconds further back.

Another interesting read: route 3rd stage 2022 Volta a Catalunya.

Volta a Catalunya 2022 stage 3: route, profile, more

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