For Katusha, today's stage of the Vuelta a Espana was all about staying safe. The team is still hopeful that it will reach its three goals: a stage win, the win in the teams classification and a podium spot with Joaquim Rodriguez.
Today’s stage 17 from Ortigueira to A Coruña could have been one for the breakaway or one for the sprinters and ended seeing the best of both worlds – a late catch and then a group sprint. For Team Katusha it was a day to stay safe on the roads and protect the lead in the overall Teams classification.
"We expected that the break might go all the way today but they were caught with 250 meters to go. We had the teams of the sprinters on the front all day which made for a fast and very hard day. I don’t think there was one flat kilometer except for the last five. We were going up and down all day and at this point in stage 17 this required a big effort from the riders, especially with the important stages still to come," said director José Azevedo.
A breakaway of five riders went clear during the stage with two riders still away in the closing meters. With one team not able to control the front of the main field, it almost looked like a stage win from the breakaway, but inside the final km only the riders were caught and a group sprint followed. Taking his fourth win in the 2014 Vuelta, John Degenkolb (Giant-Shimano) out-kicked Michael Matthews (Orica-GreenEdge) and Fabian Cancellara of Trek Factory Racing.
"We are continuing to fight for the Team classification and we will do all possible to maintain our first position. It’s going to be hard to get a podium position for ‘Purito’ but of course we will fight until the last day. It’s a goal for us, as well as a stage win and certainly a reward for the team for all the hard work we’ve done in this Vuelta," added team director José Azevedo.
The strong efforts from the team keep them in first place in the Teams category with 14.12 over second place Movistar.
The 2014 Vuelta a España isn’t finished with the mountains yet – two summit finishes remain with the first coming in tomorrow’s stage 18. At 156 km the stage begins in A Estrada and ends uphill on Mont Castrove/Meis.
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