Zaragoza welcomes the bunch for the second time in the last decade.
After three consecutive days for the general classification men, the Spanish Grand Tour returned on some flatter roads which the few fast men in the race were looking forward to. For this reason, the breakaway had no chance, the three men who were bold enough to attack being caught with more than 20 kilometers to go.
Zaragoza was where this eighth stage of La Vuelta concluded. The capital of Aragon is an old acquaintance of the race, having hosted a finish for the first time in 1936, when Alfons Schepers took the victory after 293 kilometers and 9 hours in the saddle. This year, after a hectic bunch sprint that went down to the wire, it was Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) who took the victory.
Gianmarco Garofoli was involved again there, just like on the opening stage, and the 22-year-old Italian finished in the top 15. The overall standings remained unchanged, which means that Junior Lecerf will start the last stage of the last week – finishing in the Estacion de Esqui de Valdezcaray – continues to be the highest-ranked T-Rex Quick-Step rider.
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