CyclingQuotes.com uses cookies for statistics and targeting ads. This information is shared with third parties.
ACCEPT COOKIES » MORE INFO »

Every day we bring you more pro-cycling news

"It will be decided in the time trial and we all have possibilities. It is open and I will fight until the end. The differences are small. I do not have much time to a quality rider like Nairo."

Photo: Sirotti

ITZULIA BASQUE COUNTRY

RACE PROFILE
|
NEWS

SERGIO LUIS HENAO

RIDER PROFILE
|
NEWS

TEAM SKY

NEWS
10.04.2015 @ 20:49 Posted by Emil Axelgaard

Sergio Henao showed his class to retain the race lead after a thrilling penultimate stage at the Vuelta al Pais Vasco.

 

Three ascents of the eye-watering Alto de Aia brought the majority of the peloton to its knees, but a late drive from the Colombian saw him distance the majority of his rivals.

 

A rousing acceleration for the third stage in succession saw Henao drop pre-race favourite Nairo Quintana (Movistar) before finishing alongside Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha) at the line.

 

The pair remain inseparable on the GC heading into Saturday’s decisive time trial, with Brit Simon Yates (Orica-GreenEdge) jumping up to third overall, seven back, after a late attack gained him three seconds at the finish. 2013 race-winner Quintana now sits fourth, 12 seconds adrift.

 

A sizeable breakaway in excess of 30 riders went clear early on but was whittled down across a savage 155.5km parcours.

Mikel Landa (Astana) proved strongest to take victory in front of a passionate Basque crowd, pushing clear of both Tim Wellens (Lotto Soudal) and Tom Danielson (Cannondale-Garmin) on the final ramp.

 

 

With no riders in the break an immediate threat on GC, Team Sky were able to set a measured tempo on the front, with Danny Pate and Xabier Zandio getting through a lot of work before the situation evolved heading into the closing stages.

 

First time up the Alto de Aia the peloton became stretched and world champion Michal Kwiatkowski (Etixx – Quick-Step) carved out a gap of over 30 seconds on the descent.

 

That move drew a reaction from behind, with Team Sky, Katusha and Movistar all working together to drag back the Pole, who would ultimately drop time at the finish.

 

Henao finished seventh on the stage, one position ahead of Rodriguez to maintain his advantage on stage placings going into a technical 18.3km course on Saturday.

 

"It was a tough stage and we knew it," he told Biciciclismo. "The team has done a great job and then we were joined by Katusha and Movistar.

 

"It will be decided in the time trial and we all have possibilities. It is open and I will fight until the end. The differences are small. I do not have much time to a quality rider like Nairo.

 

"Like in 2013 I have the chance to win. I hope my legs respond and anyway I'm happy with what I've done.

 

After the stage Sports Director Nicolas Portal heaped praise onto Henao, and previewed an intriguing finale.

 

“The whole team are really proud of him and the riders are fully, fully behind him," said the Frenchman.

 

“It all comes down to the time trial tomorrow. It’s a really physically hard TT but it’s also very technical. You have lots of tricky descending, which brings up the question whether to use a time trial bike. Even if are less comfortable on a time trial bike you might be able to save some energy and go the same speed as you would be on a road bike. You can get into a good position. But then the last 8km is basically two hard climbs and one descent in the middle.

 

“If you have a pure climbing bike then it could be an advantage too. So it’s a tricky TT to prepare for and bike choice is really going to be crucial. We’ll talk about it a lot this evening and make a decision.

 

“We know Quintana is maybe the best guy for a course like this. But we’ve seen that he isn’t on the form he can be. That possibly opens it up for other riders and there are a lot of guys who can be good. Sergio should be able to do a good ride. He’s shown how strong he is in the race. Every time the race has been on he’s been there, at the front, making the pace and attacking. He’s in good form so he will have a chance. But there are lots of guys to watch out for. It should be really exciting.”

MORE NEWS:

VIEW SELECTED

Bycykling 101: Navigering i byens gader og cykelvenlige... 27.11.2023 @ 12:11The Best Danish Cyclist To Bet On At 2022 Tour De France 13.01.2022 @ 15:262022 Upcoming Tournament Overview 03.01.2022 @ 09:45Best Place to Find Stand-Up Paddleboards 16.06.2021 @ 08:16What are Primoz Roglic’s Chances to Win 2021 Tour de Fr... 17.03.2021 @ 08:37Amazing victory by young champion Sarah Gigante 04.02.2021 @ 14:21Three reasons why cycling is one of the best ways to ex... 28.09.2020 @ 12:03Why do businesses use meeting room managers? 14.09.2020 @ 13:42Five things that you can do, if you want to gain more f... 20.08.2020 @ 15:38One for the road 09.06.2020 @ 15:25List of CyclingQuotes previews 07.05.2020 @ 13:20Blue Energy: room for all interests 26.08.2019 @ 12:56Get your daily dose of exercise at home 08.07.2019 @ 10:443 good advice to be able to afford your favorite bike 25.02.2019 @ 12:32Cycle through gorgeous landscapes 22.10.2018 @ 21:41Balance Your Economy and Diet and Start Saving Money 08.10.2018 @ 11:18Stay Safe: 3 Helmets That Can Keep Your Head Protected... 20.07.2018 @ 07:59Planning to bet on Tour De France - Bet types and strat... 24.05.2018 @ 14:18Basics of cycling betting 25.10.2017 @ 13:10Bauer moves to ORICA-SCOTT 28.08.2017 @ 10:45End of the road for CyclingQuotes 08.01.2017 @ 16:00Rui Costa confirms Giro participation 07.01.2017 @ 12:55Van Avermaet: I am not afraid of Sagan 07.01.2017 @ 09:45Unchanged course for E3 Harelbeke 07.01.2017 @ 09:32Jenner takes surprise win at Australian U23 Championships 07.01.2017 @ 08:53No replacement for Meersman at Fortuneo-Vital Concept 06.01.2017 @ 19:14Barguil with two goals in 2017 06.01.2017 @ 19:06More details about French Vuelta start emerges 06.01.2017 @ 14:16Kristoff to start season at Etoile de Besseges 06.01.2017 @ 14:10Ion Izagirre announces schedule for first year at Bahrain 06.01.2017 @ 12:40JLT Condor optimistic for Herald Sun Tour 06.01.2017 @ 09:19Haas leads Dimension Data trio in fight for Australian... 06.01.2017 @ 09:15Sagan spearheads Bora-hansgrohe at Tour Down Under 06.01.2017 @ 09:12Henao and Thomas lead Sky Down Under 06.01.2017 @ 09:09Bauer crowned New Zealand TT champion 06.01.2017 @ 08:33Van der Poel ready to defend Dutch title 05.01.2017 @ 21:00Pantano ambitious for first Tour with Trek 05.01.2017 @ 20:41Landa with new approach to the Giro 05.01.2017 @ 20:36Sunweb Development Team sign Goos and Zepuntke 05.01.2017 @ 20:27Dumoulin confirms Giro participation 05.01.2017 @ 20:19Bauer targets victories in Quick-Step debut 05.01.2017 @ 20:16Gaviria and Boonen lead Quick-Step in San Juan 05.01.2017 @ 20:13Team Sunweb presented in Germany 05.01.2017 @ 20:09ASO take over major German WorldTour race 05.01.2017 @ 11:01Team Sunweb unveil new jersey 05.01.2017 @ 10:54Reactions from the Australian TT Championships 05.01.2017 @ 08:27Dennis defends Australian TT title 05.01.2017 @ 08:21Scotson takes back to back U23 TT titles in Australia 05.01.2017 @ 08:15Utrecht on track to host 2020 Vuelta 04.01.2017 @ 18:28Pre-season setback for Talansky 04.01.2017 @ 17:56Kristoff: It's not impossible for me to win in Rou... 04.01.2017 @ 17:49Boom close to first cyclo-cross win in LottoNL debut 04.01.2017 @ 17:40UAE Abu Dhabi make late signing of Arab rider 04.01.2017 @ 17:36UAE Abu Dhabi unveil new jersey 04.01.2017 @ 17:30BMC unveil race schedule 04.01.2017 @ 17:21

Currently no news in this list

Renato SEABRA
46 years | today
Francisco GARCIA RUS
32 years | today
Raúl RICO BORDERA
27 years | today
Alex MORRICE
24 years | today
Arthur PAGNAER
29 years | today

© CyclingQuotes.com