Sport

Sun shines for the Belgians in Spain

The Vuelta - Tour of Spain - was at its 5th day yesterday and so far 2 stages have been won by Belgians, i.e. by one single Belgian. Fleming Gianni Meersman (30) took his second stage win in Lugo yesterday, winning a long sprint in an uphill finish.
Michaël Torfs

Not taking into account the opening team time trial, the Belgians have taken home 2 of the 4 'normal stages' so far. Gianni Meersman, riding for the Belgian Etixx-Quick Step team, beat Fabio Felline (Italy/Trek) and Kevin Reza (France/FDJ) in a long uphill finish in Lugo, in the north-western province of Galicia.

Philippe Gilbert, the Belgian champion, accelerated in the final uphill kilometres, creating a little gap, but was gobbled up by the peloton again before the final kilometre.

Meersman has to look for a new employer next season and is increasing his market value with these two wins. His team manager, Patrick Lefevere, argues he didn't win enough in the past months. Now, he sees his pupil become a real winner but the decision to split up has already been taken.

Meersman also leads the points classification. The overall leader is Darwin Atapuma, the Colombian riding for the BMC Team. 

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