BORA-hansgrohe Team (Argentina) - Saving the best until last, after a hectic final stage where the breakaway was barely allowed a minute’s advantage, it all came down to the final 10km on the San Juan City circuit, where the pace ramped up high and the BORA-hansgrohe sprint train came to life to protect Sam Bennett and bring him to the line. With Erik Baška and Peter Sagan on lead-out duty, the Irish rider surged ahead to take the Vuelta a San Juan’s final stage with a commanding effort that saw him finish a bike length ahead of second place. With three BORA-hansgrohe riders in the stage’s top five and Felix Großschartner finishing fifth in the overall standings, it marked the end of a strong campaign where teamwork was the defining feature of the race for the German team.

Returning to where it all began, the Vuelta a San Juan would come to a close in San Juan City with a circular nine-lap street circuit, totalling 141.3km. Each 16km lap of the route would bring the riders closer to the end of what had been a thrilling race, but the Vuelta wasn’t over until the final stage was won – and with a pan flat finish, the sprinters were guaranteed not to let this go one by without a fight. With the breakaway having frustrated the bunch on yesterday’s stage, the early attempts to escape were quickly shut down and several more attacks ended the same way. With the race hitting the 100km to go point, there was still no break in sight, and it was only with 75km to go that something finally stuck. A group of five built a lead of a minute, but almost as though they were on a piece of elastic, the peloton brought them back in to within thirty seconds. This group was working together well though, and the bunch was held at bay until the final 20km, when the bunch jumped into action and started pushing to make the catch – the result of today deciding both the stage and the overall standings would make sure those with their eye on a victory would take every chance they could – easily sweeping up the lead group and then ramping up the pace for the finale. While there were plenty of attacks in the final 5km, the BORA-hansgrohe riders were vigilant on the front with Poljański, Baška and Sagan keeping the pace high for Sam Bennett. Coming out of nowhere when it looked like the race was over, Sam streaked ahead and decisively snatched the victory.

Results:

1. S.Bennett: 2h54’26”
2. A.Hodeg: + 0:00
3. E.Baška: + 0:00
4. M.Belletti: + 0:00
5. P.Sagan: + 0:00

From the Finish Line:

"I'm really happy. We came here looking for a stage win and it was good for the morale to start the season by taking a win in my first stage race. I just want to thank the team again – they did an awesome job. The hardest part was in the finale. The guys were doing a perfect lead-out and I think Quick Step's focus was on me, and they tried to hold me out in the wind really early so, in the end, I decided to hang back a bit and try and come a bit later in the sprint. I probably went a little too late, but I had enough power and managed to get the win. Still, the last 300m were definitely the most difficult part for me. The crowds were like something you see at the Tour de France or the Giro d'Italia - great atmosphere - they were really amazing." – Sam Bennett.

"We are so happy today with our first victory in San Juan. It's my first race of the year and it was a big experience for me to be part of the lead-out with Sam Bennett and Peter Sagan. I took third place in this stage and that was also a big motivation to be in the finale, stay with them and fight for the victory in the sprint." – Erik Baška.

"I'm really happy with this victory today, especially given the result yesterday where we worked so hard and missed the win by such a small margin. I think it also reflects the preparation, effort, and teamwork that was put in today. Every single rider did a brilliant job. We controlled the race and didn't let the breakaway build a big advantage. Paweł Poljański first and then Christoph Pfingsten pulled in the front while Peter Sagan and Erik Baška did an excellent lead-out train for Sam Bennett who also showed his speed. I think that overall, we can be satisfied with what we achieved at the Vuelta a San Juan. Felix Großschartner is fifth overall, had an excellent individual time trial and had a good mountain stage despite his crash. We had two sprinters, so we split the stages we targeted and both Peter and Sam performed very well in their roles of lead out or sprinter. Everybody contributed towards our goal, not just the riders but the entire staff, showing a great team spirit." – Jan Valach, Sport Director.