Vuelta 2014: Bouhanni outsprints Matthews in crosswinds marked finale

Saturday, August 30 - Stage 8 opens in Baeza after 207 kilometres in the saddle the finish line is drawn in Albacete. The finale is marked by crosswinds in the valley near Albacete, making for compelling racing but no real damage is done. All sprinters are on board in the streets of Albacete and Nacer Bouhanni outsprints Matthews, Sagan and Degenkolb. (Slideshow route/profile)

Vuelta 2014: Results 8th stage

1. Nacer Bouhanni (fra)
2. Michael Matthews (aus) s.t.
3. Peter Sagan (Svk) s.t.
4. John Degenkolb (Ger) s.t.
5. Greg Henderson (nzl) s.t.
6. Robert Wagner (Ger) s.t.
7. Kristian Sbaragli (ita) s.t.
8. Roberto Ferrari (ita) s.t.
9. Tom Boonen (bel) s.t.
10. Jasper Stuyven (bel) s.t.

GC after 8th stage
1. Alejandro Valverde (spa)
2. Nairo Quintana (col) + 0.15
3. Alberto Contador (spa) + 0.18
4. Chris Froome (gbr) + 0.20
5. Esteban Chaves (col) + 0.41
6. Joaquim Rodriguez (spa) + 0.45
7. Robert Gesink (Nld) + 0.55
8. Fabio Aru (ita) + 0.58
9. Warren Barguil (fra) + 1.02
10. Wilco Kelderman (Nld) + 1.06

12. Samuel Sanchez (spa) + 1.11
14. Rigoberto Uran (col) + 1.18
15. Daniel Martin (Irl) + 1.34

Race report
The first attack of the day was succesfully. Elia Favilli and Francisco Javier Aramendia are today’s escapees. The maximum advantage is over 7 minutes. With 40 kilometres left the escape is history, after 160 kilometres in the lead.

John Degenkolb takes 3rd in the intermediate sprint and strengthens his lead in the points classification.

The finale is marked by crosswinds. A first split occurs with 25 kilometres to go and all GC men and sprinters are awake, but approaching the finish line Quintana, Aru, Barguil and Degenkolb are unpleasantly suprised when they are behind a second split. BMC powers upfront and Giant gives everything to restore Degenkolb chances to sprint. With 5 kilometres left the damage is repaired.

In the streets of Albacete Nacer Bouhanni outsprints his opponents. Michael Matthews comes in second, Peter Sagan third. John Degenkolb proves to be the victim of the wind and he is fourth.