Anacona wins Vuelta San Juan as Movistar takes Team Prize

Anacona took the top stop on the podium with Frenchman Julian Alaphilippe (Decueninck – Quick Step) second overall, and 2018 race winner Óscar Sevilla (MDE) in third

Movistar Win the Team Prize

Sunday’s final jersey marks Winner’s fourth UCI win, following an amateur success at the GiroBio (2011) and stage nine of the 2014 Vuelta a España (Valdelinares) before Friday’s Alto Colorado victory. Anacona’s triumph also brings the third overall victory to the Movistar Team in Argentina, following two GC wins by the Quintana brothers in the Tour de San Luis (2014 and 2016).

“We could not celebrate before the last finish line, and now that’s it’s over, I feel so happy as much as relieved I could finish it off. It’s my first stage race victory, and I hope it won’t be the last,” Anacona said after the jersey presentation. “It’s a magnificent way to confirm all preparations we did for this season were right – and claiming a victory in 2019 was also a hidden goal for me this season. I could achieve it atop the Colorado on Friday and sealing this overall success brings me massive joy. My most important win? I think the Vuelta a España stage and this success are both important in different ways. The former was my first Grand Tour stage win, but this stagerace had very talented contenders, and everyone is ambitious at the start of the season. All in all, this is a boost of confidence for what’s to come during this season.”

Remco Evenepoel wins the Green Jersey

Two days after turning 19, Belgian prodigy Remco Evenepoel made his pro debut and what he showed on the roads of Argentina was nothing short of remarkable. Three days into the race – after having previously worked in the services of his teammates – Remco produced a strong ride in the flat individual time trial which reshuffled the general classification, finishing third on the stage and moving into the green jersey.

“We did a great job as a team this week, it’s been a beautiful race for us and we can be happy with what we have achieved. I started here without any expectations, as I wasn’t in the best shape, so to get the green jersey, a stage podium and ninth in the GC is really great,” Evenpoel said after the race. “I am proud of what I’ve done here and of what I have learned, it’s been an excellent start to the season and I hope that from here I will only continue my upward trajectory.”

Evenepoel continued in the spotlight also on the queen stage, where he put in a mighty performance on Alto del Colorado, emptying himself for Julian Alaphilippe, an effort which didn’t prevent him from retaining the lead in the youth standings. On the flat, together with Max Richeze and Petr Vakoc, he put in some heavy rotations at the front of the bunch, in the crosswinds or headwind, including on the final stage, where Alvaro Hodeg came close to getting his maiden win of the season.

2019 Vuelta San Juan Stage 7 Top 5

Sam Bennett (BORA – Hansgrohe) 2h 54’26” + 10”
Alvara Hodeg (Deceuninck – Quick Step) s.t. + 6″
Erik Baska (BORA – Hansgrohe) s.t. + 4″
Manuel Bellitti (Androni Giocattoli – Sidermec) s.t.
Peter Sagan (BORA – Hansgrohe) s.t.

2019 Vuelta San Juan Final General Classification:

Winner Anacona (Movistar Team) at 22h09’21”
Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck – Quick Step) at 35″
Oscar Sevilla (Medellin) at 57″
Valerio Conti (UAE Team Emirates) at 1’03”
Felix Grossschartner (BORA – Hansgrohe) at 1’13”
Richard Carapaz(Movistar Team ) at 1’20”
Cesar Paredes (Medellin) at 1’24”
Nairo Quintana (Movistar) at 1’29”
Remco Evenpoel (Deceuninck – Quick Step) at 1’36”
Tiesj Benoot (Lotto Soudal) at 1’38”