Britain’s Ben Swift (Katusha) finished third on the second stage of the Vuelta a Pais Vasco on Tuesday.
The stage was won by Yury Trofimov (Bouygues Telecom), who beat Rein Taaramae (Cofidis) by 5 seconds but Swift showed his speed winning the bunch sprint 1-10 behind with a strong sprint.
The 21 year-old from Rotherham beat Michael Albasini (Columbia High Road), race leader and stage one leader Luis Leon Sanchez (Caisse d’Epargne), Italy’s Francesco Gavazzi (Lampre), Germany’s Fabian Wegmann (Milram) and Tour Down Under winner and strong sprinter Allan Davis (Quick Step).
It is Swift’s fifth top-ten result since making his full professional debut with the Katusha team in the Tour of Qatar.
Vuelta Pais Vasco Results
1. Yury Trofimov (Rus) Bouygues Telecom
2. Rein Taaramae (Est) Cofidis at 5secs
3. Ben Swift (GBr) Team Katusha at 1min 10secs
4. Michael Albasini (Swi) Team Columbia
5. Luis Leon Sanchez (Spa) Caisse d’Epargne
6. Francesco Gavazzi (Ita) Lampre
7. Fabian Wegmann (Ger) Team Milram
8. Allan Davis (Aus) Quick Step
9. Alexandr Kolobnev (Rus) Team Saxo Bank
10. Massimiliano Mori (Ita) Lampre all same time.
Leader:
Luis Leon Sanchez (Caisse d’Epargne)
RELATED LINKS
Ben Swift rider profile