Cycling
Mollema wins Stage 17; Nibali leads Horner
BURGOS, Spain – Bauke Mollema of the Netherlands won the 17th stage of the Spanish Vuelta in a sprinting finish Wednesday, and Vincenzo Nibali retained his overall lead.
Nibali of Italy maintains a 28-second lead over second-place Christopher Horner of the United States, who rides for Radioshack-Leopard.
Mollema, a 26-year-old Belkin-Pro rider, finished the 117-mile ride from Calahorra to Burgos in 4 hours, 44 minutes, 28 seconds. He crossed just ahead of Norway’s Edvald Boasson Hagen, who finished in the same time.
Lampre-Merida rider Maximiliano Ariel Richeze of Argentina was third in the same time.
On Thursday, the riders will tackle a grueling 116-mile mountain stage from Burgos to Pena Cabarga. It includes three Category 3 climbs, one Category 2 peak and a Category 1 ascent to the finish line.
Associated Press
