Team MTN-Qhubeka thrived at stage five of the Vuelta a Espana when Kristian Sbaragli sprinted his way into ninth place while Sergio Pardilla attacked on the final cat three climb, to gain the points required to take the lead in the combination classification.
Team MTN-Qhubeka. Photo: Supplied
This combination classification takes into account a riders position in the GC, Points and KOM competitions and then awards the rider who is best placed with the white jersey.
To take any of the leaders jersey’s at the Vuelta would have been a dream come true in our first ever grand tour and now with Pardilla, that dream has been realised.
John Degenkolb (Giant-Shimano) repeated his win from yesterday, Nacer Bouhanni (FDJ.fr) took second and Moreno Hofland (Belkin) claimed third place.
“I am really happy to take this jersey. We knew it was a slight possibility that I could take the jersey if I got some KOM points on the last climb today. So I went for it but we weren’t quite sure. We only got the news when we were heading to hotel already but I am so happy for this result,” said Pardilla.
