Michael Woods from Canada of Israel Start-Up-Nation, right, climbs the Lukmanier pass ahead of Rigoberto Uran from Colombia of Ef Education-Nippo during the sixth stage, a 130 km race from Andermatt to Disentis-Sedrun, at the 84th Tour de Suisse UCI ProTour cycling race, on Friday, June 11, 2021. (Gian Ehrenzeller/Keystone via AP) MIRADOR, Spain — Canadian cyclist Michael Woods showed his climbing prowess Friday in winning Stage 2 of the four-stage Gran Camino race to take over first place overall.
The 35-year-old from Ottawa, riding for the Israel-Premier Tech team, finished the 177.6-kilometre stage in four hours, 35 minutes and 52 seconds to take a 17-second lead over Alejandro Valverde in the overall standings. The Spaniard finished second on the stage, 16 seconds behind.
“I’m very happy and relieved. It’s really important to get a win early in the season, both for myself and the team,” Woods said. “I’ve had a lot of close finishes over the last few months but not many wins. So it’s nice to finally get another one under my belt. I went to the Ruta del Sol last week hoping to get a result because I was in good shape.
“Then I got sick and spent the last week worrying about my form, hoping to have the legs I had before I got sick. I think I did.”
Woods almost missed the five-stage Ruta del Sol race due to a stomach bug. He ended up dropping out after the first stage.
Woods made his move Friday on the final […]
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