Colin Stüssi consolidates second place on fourth Volta a Portugal stage – Fighter Lukas Rüegg still in the saddle after a heavy fall!
A good Sunday for Team Vorarlberg! Colin Stüssi consolidates second place on fourth Portugal stage – Lukas Rüegg still in the saddle after a crash!
Best news first! Lukas Rüegg still in the saddle after “massive crash”!
Lukas Rüegg, who crashed heavily on Saturday, was in hospital until late in the evening having his damaged areas x-rayed. The helmet prevented more serious injuries to his head. However, the shoulder and elbow areas are particularly painful. Who would be surprised after such a crash, but “Luki” is a fighter for the team and did his job for the team today, even with bandages. Chapeau!
Colin Stüssi and Jannis Peter continue to be first class with TEAM WORK!
The fourth stage over 164 kilometers from Sabugal to Guarda on Sunday was another sweaty affair with 3000 meters of climbing. Today’s victory was decided between the breakaway riders. Spaniard Luis Angel Mate (Euskaltel-Euskadi) wins ahead of prologue winner Rafael Reis (POR / Sabgal).
Colin Stüssi finishes second in the chasers’ mountain sprint and is 16th in front of a large crowd. The 31-year-old Swiss rider is able to gain several seconds on the direct pursuers. The Portuguese rider Eulalio Afonso (ABTP-Betao) remains in yellow.
Jannis Peter was again strong today in 25th place, ranking around 20th in the overall standings. Colin Stüssi is still the leader in the combined rankings.
Summary of the day from sports director Werner Salmen:“The team did everything right today. Colin was able to put a few seconds between himself and his pursuers with a strong finish. The team did a great job. It was also great that Lukas Rüegg was able to hold on today. Now it’s time to recharge our batteries for week two on the rest day!”
Result https://www.procyclingstats.com/race/volta-a-portugal/2024/stage-5
MONDAY = rest day and time to lick the wounds
Before the race continues on Tuesday with the fifth stage to Braganca, the entire field of riders can recover a little. The heat, the intensive race days with 660 kilometers and 10,000 meters of altitude, as well as the late arrivals every day in the accommodations not only challenge the riders, but also the support crew!
Stage plan (total length 1,540 KM / 21,582 vertical meters)
24.07. Prologue Agueda – Agueda 5.6 KM
25.07. Stage 1 Anadia – Miranda do Corvo 158.2 KM / 2838 HM
26.07. Stage 2 Santarem – Lisbon 164.5 KM / 1132 m elevation gain
27.07. Stage 3 Crato – Covilha (Torre) 161.2 KM / 3225 m elevation gain
28.07. Stage 4 Sabugal – Guarda 164.5 KM / 3050 HM
29.07. Rest day
30.07. Stage 5 Penedono – Braganca 176.8 KM / 2797 HM
31.07. Stage 6 Braganca – Boticas 169.1 KM / 2671 HM
01.08. Stage 7 Felgueiras – Paredes 160.4 KM / 2416 HM
02.08. Stage 8 Viano do Castelo – Fafe 182.4 KM / 2404 m elevation gain
03.08. Stage 9 Maia – Mondim de Basto 170.8 KM / 3820 HM
04.08. Stage 10 Time trial Viseu – Viseu 26.6 KM / 418 HM
Line-up Team Vorarlberg: Colin Stüssi, Jannis Peter, Lukas Meiler, Felix Stehli, Lukas Rüegg, Alexander Konychev, Pirmin Benz;
Press Service Team Vorarlberg
