Vuelta a Espana #16: Sbaragli notches up another top 10

Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka still pushing for stage win

The temperatures during stage 16 of the 2016 Vuelta a Espana somehow resembled the heat of today's sprint. With only Madrid left as an option for the sprinters it was all about the fast guys for the win today. Jempy Drucker (BMC) had lady luck on his side. He crossed the line after 156 kilometers of racing from Alcañiz to Peñíscola ahead of Rüdiger Selig (Bora-Argon18) and Nikias Arndt (Giant-Alpecin). Kristian Sbargali managed to get another top 10 finish for Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka.

It took only a few kilometers for today's break to get a gap. Silvan Dillier (BMC), Sven Erik Bystrom (Katusha), Julien Morice (Direct Energie), Davide Villella (Cannondale), Luis Angel Maté (Cofidis) and Mario Costa (Lampre - Merida) worked well together but Etixx-QuickStep and IAM didn't want them to get too far ahead. They kept things under control. Nic Dougall also joined in on the pace making from the pack and made it clear that our African team had ambitions today with Sbaragli.

When the stage entered its final racing hour the gap would diminish steadily. With 12 kilometers to go it was all over for the break, as the sprinter teams tried to form their trains. Tinkoff though, had something else in mind and sent Daniele Bennati off the front with 2 kilometers to go. The Italian was able to open up a gap on the slightly tricky run-in but was caught again on the final stretch. Then it was Gianni Meersman (Etixx-Quickstep) to open the sprint. The Belgian was too early in the wind though and had to settle for 4th. Drucker, who jumped from Meersman's wheel, had the strongest punch in the end. Coming into the finishing straight Sbaragli was positioned well. He got boxed in a little though and finished 7th respectively.

Alex Sans Vega - Sports Director
We hoped for a small break today and this is exactly how the race unfolded. We were happy with the situation. The break didn't really get a big gap. In the finale the guys worked really well to position Kristian. Maybe we were a little bit too early at the front, as Kristian was on his own inside the last kilometer. He had to invest some energy to stay there, too much maybe as he missed a bit for the final acceleration. Obviously we had hoped for a better result today. All in all, it wasn't too bad and we're positive that our time at this Vuelta will come.

Team Dimension Data For Qhubeka

Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka was founded in 2007, steadily working its way up from a regional team to now being a World Tour team with bases in South Africa and Italy. It’s also known as Africa’s Team due to its focus on helping African talents to the world stage of cycling. The team races to raise funds for the Qhubeka Charity to mobilise people on bicycles in Africa. To contribute to the #BicyclesChangeLivescampaign, click here.

Qhubeka is an Nguni word that means “to progress”, “to move forward”. Qhubeka (qhubeka.org) is part of World Bicycle Relief (worldbicyclerelief.org), a global non-profit organisation dedicated to advancing education, health and economic opportunities by providing simple, sustainable transportation through the power of bicycles.  

Dimension Data (dimensiondata.com) uses the power of technology to help organisations achieve great things in the digital era. As a member of the NTT Group, we accelerate our clients’ ambitions through digital infrastructure, hybrid cloud, workspaces for tomorrow, and cybersecurity. With a turnover of USD 7.5 billion, offices in 58 countries, and 31,000 employees, we deliver wherever our clients are, at every stage of their technology journey. We’re proud to be the Official Technology Partner of Amaury Sport Organisation, organiser of the Tour de France, and the title partner of the cycling team, Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka.

Learn more about the team at www.africasteam.com. 

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