Gianni Meersman (Etixx-QuickStep) bounced back from a few disappointing years when he claimed his first grand tour stage win on stage 2 of the Vuelta a Espana. After a splendid lead-out from Zdenek Stybar and Yves Lampaert, he held off Michael Schwarzmann (Bora-Argon 18) and Magnus Cort (Orica-BikeExchange) in the final dash to the line which Michal Kwiatkowski (Sky) took the red jersey with a fourth place in the sprint.

 

We have gathered several reactions.

 

Gianni Meersman: Without the top sprinters here, everyone can take his chance

Gianni Meersman seized the day in the Vuelta a España and won stage 2 in the town of Baiona, which was making its return to the race after three years. The Belgian, riding the Spanish Grand Tour for the fifth time in his career, produced a very fast finish in the Galician municipality, capitalizing on the excellent work of his Etixx – Quick-Step teammates, who protected him in the closing kilometers and brought him to the front in an ideal position.

 

Before coming to the start of the Vuelta a España, Meersman polished his form in two short stage races, Tour de Wallonie and Vuelta a Burgos, and even though a win eluded him, he credited those events as having an important role in his preparation for the season’s final Grand Tour.

 

“Wallonie and Burgos were the two races that I needed to step up my game and be at 100%. In the past weeks, I was feeling better and better by the day and knew that I will come at the start of the Vuelta in a very good condition. This stage was my primary goal and to take it, after a superb work of the team, gives me a really incredible feeling”, said a beaming Meersman, the 85th Belgian rider to notch up a victory in the race.

 

Sunday's finish was a hectic one, but things turned out to be even more crazy due to some tricky corners and crashes which occurred in the last two kilometers. Escorted by his teammates, 30-year-old Gianni Meersman avoided any trouble and bided his time, starting the sprint from an excellent position, his fast legs and perfect timing bringing Etixx – Quick-Step its sixth Grand Tour win of the season.

 

“Not having the top sprinters here means things are more difficult to control, because everybody is aware of the fact there is a chance to pull it off. This leads all the time to huge stress and a nervous finale. Fortunately, I had the guys with me in the last two kilometers and they did a marvelous job. Styby worked hard, then Yves protected me from the wind and I could go with 200 meters left. I want to thank the boys and at the same time to dedicate this victory to my wife and my daughter”, an excited Meersman SAID at the end of the stage which sent him to the top of the points standings.

 

“The stage in the last 20 kilometres was quite hectic. Every team had their own sprinter and they all wanted to go for a good result. The last five kilometres was also very windy but we stayed calm in 10th to 15th position.

 

“Then with 800 metres to go Stybar was pulling and I still had Yves Lampaert in front of me with 400 metres to go. He started his lead out and with 200 metres to go I launched my sprint. Luckily today, it all worked out exactly as we had planned.

 

“I’m not sure exactly how different it is [without the big sprinters] because we’re still going very fast, but I think this Vuelta has opportunities for other guys to go for the stage wins and I took mine today. It was planned out for weeks before. I already had a strategy for today’s stage.

 

“Then in the last five kilometres, you could see that every team was trying to put in three or four guys for the win, but mine worked out perfectly. I was feeling confident after Burgos and the team also, so that was good.

 

“A victory is a victory and I’m really happy it’s in the Vuelta. The last time I raced here I was two times third.] and every chance you get you have to take it 100 percent.

 

“The Vuelta is a hard stage race, everybody knows it, if you look at the line-up, you’ll see there’s no top sprinters here because they know it’s quite hard and they don’t come here for one or two stages. “But everybody can start here, everybody is free to participate, so we are here to make the best out of it, we are here to get stage wins and I think we start quite well.

 

The last time I took part was three years ago. This year I saw that there was chance and when you have a chance you must go for it 100 pc. 

 

“It's the Vuelta, it's a hard stage race and I was among the fast riders at the start. There is no top sprinter here.

 

“To be honest, I didn't look at the Vuelta road yet. I'm taking it day by day. All I know is that tomorrow is a summit finish and it's going to be really hard.

 

“I don't know yet what this means for my future. I didn't sign yet. We'll see what happens in the next few days.

 

To be honest I never thought I'd have a chance to do the world championships. I'm lined up to do the European Championship in Plumelec. I raced it in the Coupe de France and I liked it. We will see. I hope to have some good results and then we’ll see what happens.”

 

Michael Schwarzmann takes impressive second in first ever grand tour stage

The second stage of the Vuelta a Espana started almost perfect for BORA - ARGON 18. A group of 3 riders attacked directely after the start. Together with Laurent Pichon (FDJ) and Bryan Nauleau (Direct Energie) Cesare Benedetti could go clear from the peloton. The goal for this trio was the only KOM of the day which was also decisive for the leader’s jersey in this classification. Sadly he was not able to take the points, still he rode a strong race at the front.

 

BORA – ARGON 18 was able to hit the front early and to position the team's sprinter - Michael Schwarzmann - well up the front. Even a crash on the home straight did not influence his concentration. He timed his sprint very well and finished second behind Gianni Meersman (Etixx QUickstep).

 

The Vuelta a Espana is Michael Schwarzmann’s first Grand Tour and therefore also his first podium finish at this level.

 

“The final was very hectic but all the boys did a great job for me. I was behind Etixx-Quickstep when we came on the home straight. Unfortunately I had to put down my hand for a second to avoid a crash, but that can happen. But as I said, the boys did a really great job and that was the key to success. I am very happy but also a little bit disappointed because I was close to take the win. But of course I am very happy and we will keep going on,” said Michael Schwarzmann

 

Magnus Cort agonizingly close to the leader’s jersey at the Vuelta

Young Dane Magnus Cort sprinted to a strong third place for ORICA-BikeExchangein a hectic finale on stage two of the Vuelta a Espana today.

Excellent teamwork from ORICA-BikeExchange saw the breakaway caught over the last 20kilometres before a crash disrupted the finale with Cort sprinting brilliantly to third behind stage winner Gianni Meersman (Etixx-Quickstep).

 

“I was quite a long way back after the crash with two kilometres to go,” said Cort at the finish. “I lost Jens Keukeleire and had to start my sprint from a long way back and I was looking for a gap and the best line to the finish.

 

“In the end I had to go down the right hand side and it was close all the way to the line. It’s really nice to get a good result, we have a strong team here and I really appreciate the opportunity to be able to compete on the flatter stages."

 

24-year-old Damien Howson started stage two in the blue and white climber's jersey after yesterday's third place finish in the team time trial and cut a proud figure in the day’s peloton.

 

Sport director Neil Stephens was pleased with the team’s performance.

 

“It was a very good day for us today,” said Stephens. “Our first priority is to look after Esteban Chaves and Simon Yates and make sure we don’t lose any time, but you have to take your hat off to Magnus (Cort) he took his opportunity very well.

 

“We said that if the chance came our way then Magnus would be able to have a go for himself and despite getting held up behind the crash he really went for it against the best pure sprinters in the Vuelta a Espana.

 

“To finish third on the stage is great, two days in a row now and we didn’t lose any time so we are still in a good position ahead of tomorrow's stage three.”

 

Michal Kwiatkowski: I am grateful that Kennaugh gave me this chance

A strong fourth place finish on stage two saw Michal Kwiatkowski ride into the race lead at the Vuelta a Espana.

 

The Pole unleashed his fast finish into Baiona to secure a top-five in the sprint, and in the process moved into the red jersey courtesy of stage placings.

 

With the foundations laid by a winning start in the team time trial on Saturday, Kwiatkowski inherited the jersey from team-mate Pete Kennaugh as Team Sky set about defending their slender race lead.

 

Riding up front as a unit, the team were well positioned and able to dodge a pair of late crashes in the final kilometres. Kennaugh, Chris Froome, Salvatore Puccio and Leopold Konig all crossed the line safely in the lead group to retain their top-10 places, with all 10 leading riders sitting on the same time as a thrilled Kwiatkowski.

 

Team Sky took it up early out of Ourense, honouring the red jersey on the shoulders of Kennaugh. A three-man move were able to carve out a gap of over four minutes but there was no panic in the peloton, with Trek-Segafredo and Giant-Alpecin eventually adding firepower to the gradual chase.

 

David Lopez and Christian Knees took turns on the front, while late on Ian Boswell and Michal Golas led the line as the speed picked up.

 

After the stage Kwiatkowski paid tribute to the selfless riding of his team-mate Pete Kennaugh.

 

He said: "I had the opportunity to get the red jersey and it's an incredible feeling. It's one of the nicest starts to a race I've ever had - winning the team time trial in a Grand Tour with Team Sky is incredible. I'm really thankful to Pete that he gave me this opportunity to sprint in today's final, and to go for the bonifications and also the red jersey. Thanks to the team for making it possible.

 

"Two kilometres before the final he asked me if I wanted to sprint and I accepted. He was up there in the mix and he led me out. We were sure that Chris was safe and he was up there in the front of the group and avoided the crash, so there was no risk that he would lose time.

 

"We knew that (Jose Joaquin) Rojas could sprint for bonifications on today's stage and he was one of the guys who could take the red jersey. I was looking at him before the finish but I decided to sprint for it. We didn't want to give the red jersey away for free, as I think we deserve it after such a ride yesterday.

 

"I'm thankful to the team and especially to Peter, who asked me in the last kilometers if I wanted to do the sprint and he was ready to help me out. After the team time trial, you always have a lot of opportunities to swap the red jersey, especially with a sprint stage. The team spirit is so amazing that we can share even the red jersey.

 

 

"Tomorrow we have a pretty hard summit finish. We came here with one goal for this Vuelta a Espana with Chris Froome. Let's hope we can put him in the right position to gain some time, or certainly not lose time, in the GC."

 

Disappointment for Van Genechten, Frank vows to attack again

Jonas Van Genechten (IAM) was fifth.

 

“I am a little disappointed because I expected to do better than fifth place, he said. “There were several roundabouts as we headed into the finish, but that did not make the course too dangerous. It did help to stretch out the peloton. I was in fifth position coming in, and struggled to keep my place with all the argy-bargy from the other riders. But then I wasn’t able to improve my placing in order to play for the win. I still hope to prove my merit in the other four stages that should result in bunch sprints.”

 

“I pummeled myself when I attacked just after the last climb before the finish,” Mathias Frank exclaimed after he tried to surprise the sprinters with a late attack. Though he was reeled in, he promised more attacks would follow.

 

Rik Verbrugghe, sports manager for IAM Cycling during these first two stages of the Vuelta, added:

 

“Although the level of sprinters here is not that high, that in no way takes away credit from the strong performance of Gianni Meersman (Etixx-Quickstep) to have been able to win the stage. On our side, Jonas Van Genechten managed to grab a decent 5th pace even if he didn’t have a real sprint train to help him out. We will continue to ride aggressively in order to achieve our goal at this beautiful race, which is of course to win a stage.”

 

Disappointed Kristian Sbaragli: Maybe history with repeat itself

Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka was going all in for Kristian Sbaragli today and the team rode well as a unit, near the front of the peloton all day. Nic Dougall and Jaco Venter played a key role in positioning the fast guys going into the final 10km before Nathan Haas and Tyler Farrar were tasked with delivering Sbaragli to the line. With 3km to go, Haas was driving the peloton when a big crash took out a number of contenders. Sbaragli and Farrar were well placed though and clear of the carnage. Haas completed an impressive turn just before the 1km to go kite and then Farrar took over.

 

The final few hundred meters gently bent to the left and the blind sprint made it difficult to time your effort. Sbaragli was caught up against the barrier and started his sprint a little late, but it was still enough to finish in 6th place on the stage.

 

Kristian Sbaragli said:
 

“Today was the first sprint and the team worked pretty well to stay out of trouble in the final. I just found myself in the wrong position with 600m to go. When I started the sprint I was a bit late, I'm pretty disappointed with this result. The good thing is that last year I was 6th in the first sprint and then I went on to win a stage so maybe it is good luck. We can do better but I must say thanks to all the guys, something good is coming because we are working well together and we have a lot of chances coming.”

 

Hesitation costly for Niccolo Bonifazio at the Vuelta

Niccolo Bonifazio sprinted to 7th in stage two at the Vuelta a España after a moment of hesitation cost him a higher finish. Every opportunity is a learning experience for the young Italian in his first Grand Tour, and the talented sprinter, albeit disappointed with the result, will have many more chances to make good.

 

A three-man breakaway headed affairs for most of the 160-kilometer stage two, an easily controlled escape group that left a nonchalant peloton in its wake.

 

The serenity ended in the last part of the race as the finish line neared and the pace increased. The breakaway, never allowed more than a few minutes lead all day thanks in large part to the tireless work of Markel Irizar, finally succumbed to the pressure behind with 15 kilometers remaining. Even last minute attacks were easily quashed under the speed of the peloton. 

 

"The start was tranquil, and that was nice, but when it got towards the end it was tactical, and everyone was still really fresh," said Kiel Reijnen. "The pace began to pick up as a lot of guys were going for the final and it was technical through town with a lot of roundabouts and downhills, so it was really difficult to follow your teammates. 

 

"We did our best coming into the last two kilometers, and I went with Fumy (Beppu) and Boni on my wheel. We did a short lead-out with what we had left. Boni was in good position with 400 meters to go, and I know there was a crash after that - it was chaotic."

 

Through solid teamwork and his own savvy, Bonifazio wiggled himself into prime position, but in a fleeting moment, he lost the window of opportunity. Swarmed, he lost room to move and seventh was the best he could do.
 

"Today we were almost sure it would be a sprint and with Niccolo here we have a good sprinter onboard," explained director Dirk Demol. "Everything went perfectly: only three guys in the break and we took our responsibility with Markel pulling for a long time.

 

"It was easy to keep the break in control and create a field sprint. In the end, Niccolo was maybe a little too nervous, and he anticipated the sprint too late. We knew the finish and had discussed that you could only see the line in the last 100 meters. You could see that with 250 meters to go that he had not moved yet, and at that moment he had lost the race. He had waited one moment too long and then was boxed in and could not really do the sprint. We have to try the next time again and do better."

 

Tiago Machado tests his leg, possible broken finger for Sergey Lagutin

It wasn’t a day perfectly suited for Team KATUSHA’s Tiago Machado, but the 30 year old Portuguese rider seized the moment to try something anyway in today’s 160,8km stage finishing in Baiona. In the end it was a mass sprint won by Gianni Meersman of Etixx-QuickStep, but Machado felt good testing his legs on the second stage of the 71st Vuelta a España.

 

”We don’t have our pure sprinters here and no one wanted to control the race so I saw the opportunity and tried to go. It was not my kind of parcours but I thought I might as well try it. But they caught me easily because I don’t have the power to push in a head wind on a downhill; this is not easy for me,” said Tiago Machado. His attack came on the last small rise with 15km to go, but he was brought back before the finale.

 

Team KATUSHA’s Jhonatan Restrepo decided in the morning already to do the sprint and surprised with a nice 8th place finish. Young Restrepo is doing well on all kinds of courses.

 

”I hope to continue to have good legs in this Vuelta. For much of this season some days my legs feel super strong and then other days not so well on the bike. But day-by-day I will see until the finish. We will try every day,” promised Tiago Machado.

 

Team rider Sergey Lagutin suffered a crash, two kilometers from the end and possibly broke his finger. He was brought to Vigo Hospital for X-Rays. A fractures cannot be ruled out but he will try to start stage 3.

 

Philippe Gilbert: It was getting on my nerves that nobody was racing

The peloton enjoyed a slow day in the saddle on stage 2 of the Vuelta a Espana which eventually came down to a crash-marred bunch sprint with Jempy Drucker crossing the line in ninth place.

 

A three-rider breakaway went clear in the first 10km of racing to maintain a maximum lead of three minutes in front of the Team Sky-controlled peloton.

 

The stage lacked any excitement until Philippe Gilbert launched an attack with 39km remaining, to bridge to the breakaway and keep the group in front for the next 25km, also taking the only intermediate sprint of the day and gaining three bonus seconds.

 

With the sprinters’ teams chasing hard the breakaway was reeled in with 15km to go, making way for a hectic sprint finish with two small crashes in the final 5km. Drucker was caught behind the first of the crashes but managed to bring himself back towards the front and hang on for ninth place.

 

Gilbert had a trip to the podium after taking the intermediate sprint today and now sits in 13th place on the general classification leading into a tough stage 3

 

Philippe Gilbert said:

 

“The speed was pretty slow the whole day and it was really annoying for us. I was thinking in the ten kilometers before of attacking, and then I asked on the radio if I could try something. They said I should try  

and go as far away from the bunch and then try to go for the intermediate sprint. You never know, it’s a three second bonus and I’m still up there on GC. Even if tomorrow is really hard, I think it might be too hard for me, it’s good to be able to try something at the end of the race, it’s always better like that. There are multiple stages that suit me so I’ll definitely try something on other days too.

 

"It was getting on my nerves that nobody was racing all day. I get bored in such cases, even for people in front of their TV, it's boring a peloton strolling about. I wanted to try something. And there was a sprint to take. It was one of my motivations. The Vuelta is a race I like a lot. I'm an end-of-the-season rider. There are several other stages that suit me but we'll see day in and day out."

 

Sports director Valerio Piva added:

 

“It was clear that this stage was one for a sprinter. We don’t have the world’s best sprinter here but we have a lot of guys with ambition, including Jempy Drucker. From the beginning we could see that the peloton wouldn’t let a big breakaway go away so only three riders made it in there. Team Sky controlled it immediately and then later Trek-Segafredo and Giant-Alpecin.

 

“Philippe Gilbert attacked which wasn’t planned but he felt good. It was a nice move and he took three bonus seconds for the GC which is good for the next day. Maybe he’ll have a chance to take the red jersey, but the first objective is of course to win the stage.

 

"In the race, Philippe told me: why don"t we attack? He did it, there was an unclassified climb but it was 10 pc for one kilometer. I was hoping for someone to go with him. He's strong, he's motivated to win a stage. But this time, it was to far. The spot where Machado attacked was better. He tried, it's in his character. He's good, he feels good. We'll see, there will be other days for him.

 

“Jempy was unfortunately alone in the sprint because of the crashes and he wasn’t able to have a good position in the sprint. He finished ninth but I think he’ll have other opportunities in the next three weeks.

 

Laurent Pichon takes the mountains jersey at the Vuelta a Espana

Laurent Pichon (FDJ) took the mountains jersey.

 

“I told myself it was a chance to have fun and why not go for the KOM jersey. It was a great sprint between the three escapees. Fortunately I was the one who got it. But then we were under no illusions, we were holding well, but three against a bunch is just impossible. We came to this Vuelta without a GC leader, we came to have fun. Tomorrow, I  think I'm going to relax a bit."

 

Kenny Elissonde (FDJ) tried a late attack. He said:

 

"It was a climb, but not as steep as was hoping for. In any case, I was not going to wait for the sprint and do nothing. I thought there was a climb so I tried my luck."

 

Jose Joaquin Rojas misses out on the red jersey at the Vuelta a Espana

"It was a bit tough, with hot temperatures and some nerves floating around there, but we got through the day well." That was a short, on-point summary by Nairo Quintana on the rigueurs of stage two in the Vuelta a España - 160.5km from Ourense to Baiona - which the late move by Gilbert (BMC) and the crashes by Lagutin (KAT) and Anderson (DEN) in the last 2k got into rampage. The peloton instead remained composed, with all GC leaders unscathed and a bunch sprint rewarding Etixx-Quick Step's Gianni Meersman.

R

ory Sutherland, Imanol Erviti and José Joaquín Rojas - who even got himself into the fight for the sprint, 12th over the line - were the best help for Alejandro Valverde  and Nairo Quintana. With Rojas now 2nd behind new GC leader Kwiatkowski (SKY), 4th at the finish, Valverde (3rd) and the Colombian (7th) remain with the same time of the red jersey.

 

The Movistar Team leaders will both attack the overall leadership at tomorrow's hellish finish up the Mirador de Ézaro (Cat-3), following another 176km trek full of lumpy roads from Marín, over the categorized climbs of Lestaio (Cat-3) and Paxareiras (Cat-2) plus other difficult slopes across the route.

 

Eduard Prades tests himself in first Vuelta sprint

Caja Rural - Seguros RGA’s Eduard Prades fought hard for a good position on the final kilometers but had to settle for 14th place as Gianni Meersman (Etixx-Quick Step) took the win after a very chaotic finish.
 
Michal Kwiatkowski (Team Sky) is the new overall leader of the race, while Prades is now best-placed Caja Rural - Seguros RGA rider in 93rd place, 1:36 minutes down.
 
Eduard Prades said: 

 

“This was a very nervous sprint. The Direct Energie rider in front of me crashed and I tried my best to avoid him, luckily I managed to. I actually thought I had made Top10, but 14th place is not a bad start after everything that happened. The most important thing is that I felt good on the bike. Now, I’m looking forward to the next opportunities I will get”.

 

Yukiya Arashiro takes over from Federico Zurlo at the Vuelta a Espana

Yukiya Arashiro did the sprint for LAMPRE-MERIDA: the Japanese cyclist obtained 15th place.
 

Federico Zurlo lost the front positions in the approach to the sprint because of the crash of Lagutin at 2 km to go which slowed the Italian rider down and so it was Arashiro's turn to show the blue-fuchsia-green colors in the sprint.
 

The Japanese rider exploited the stream of the sprinters' trains, tried to recover positions by launching himself from behind and he could cross the finish line in 15th place, despite having to change his trajectory in order to avoid a contact with another rider.

 

Steven Kruijswijk: Tomorrow I have to give it my all

Steven Kruijswijk came through the second stage of the Vuelta a España without problems today. Team LottoNL-Jumbo’s front man had an easy day and was supported by his team-mates to stay in front during the final part of the race. Gianni Meersman (Etixx - Quick Step) won the stage in a bunch sprint.

 

“It was an easy day,” Sports Director Jan Boven said. “The race was controlled by the sprinters’ teams and that was a good scenario for us. So we came through the day without any problems and got our chance to focus on the final part of it. The guys did it quite well. Steven Kruijswijk was always in a good position, together with Bram Tankink and Jos van Emden. Enrico Battaglin got his chance to sprint today, but he lost his position due to a crash at the final roundabout of the race. He came back in front too late to have a real chance and finished 17th.”

 

Steven Kruijswijk agreed that he had an easy day.

 

“Until the final 25 kilometres, it was an easy stage,” he added. “From that moment, Jos, Bram and Martijn Keizer held me in front. I was at the place I needed to be.

 

“Tomorrow, the race finishes uphill already. I’m not familiar with this climb, but Robert Gesink told me that it’s very steep. That means we just have to give it our all.”

 

Crash takes Nikias Arndt out of contention in Vuelta sprint

It was a hectic finale in stage 2 of the Vuelta a Espana, with multiple crashes marring the final few kilometres and scuppering team Giant-Alpecin’s chances, but all riders made it over the finish line safely, with Zico Waeytens the best placed in 18th.

 

Two crashes in the finale had a strong impact on the finale and despite being caught up, all Team Giant-Alpecin riders were able to avoid coming down and arrive safely, with Waeytens taking 18th.

 

Coach Luke Roberts said from the team bus after the stage: “We tried to set things up for a sprint for Nikias [Arndt], and all went according to plan up to the final 2km. Koen [de Kort] and Nikias were ready to make their move, but then there was a fall directly in front of them which caused them to stop and eliminated our chance.”

 

Astana: Tomorrow Lopez and Scarponi have to try

"A quiet stage up to 20 km from the finish,” said Dmitri Gruzdev. Then there was a great “bagarre” and unfortunately some crashes. Fortunately, none of us crashed ".

 

The third stage from Marín to Mirador de Ezaro of 176 km is the first uphill finish of the Spanish stage race. After the climb of Alto de Lestaio (8.3 km, 5.3%) and Alto das Paxareiras (9.3 km, 5.4%), the athletes will have to overcome the last wall.

 

"It will be the first test for us and for those who aim for the final victory and I hope that our two leaders Miguel Angel Lopez and Michele Scarponi will be tomorrow along with the best,” said sports director Dmitri Sedoun.

 

Alberto Contador: Tomorrow is a day for Valverde, Yates and Brambilla

After yesterday’s opening team time trial, the second stage of the Vuelta a España was decided in a bunch sprint, but not without its difficulties. Two crashes near the front of the race had to be negotiated and avoided before Tinkoff could safely deliver Alberto Contador to the line.
 
The only real test of the stage was an 8km, third category climb cresting after 80km, but with the day’s escape established out front, and average gradients of between 2-3% the peloton was not troubled and focused on a fast finish. At the end of the day, Contador was the team’s first rider home in 47th position.
 
“The boys did well today to keep Alberto out of trouble, and everyone stayed safe and did a good job,” Sport Director Steven De Jongh told us after the stage. “It was a hot day and the had to work together – Sergio [Paulinho] did a good job with the bidons and the other guys worked well so we can look ahead to tomorrow.”

Contador told after the finish:

 

"This type of finish is always complicated. The pace is very fast, there isn't much space and everybody wants to be at the front. As a result, crashes take place but on the other hand, tactically, you have to position yourself in the front because otherwise, you can lose some very valuable seconds.

 

“It’s true, it was a nervous finale in which you had to be in a good position. I’m happy, we passed it without crashes, which is the most important thing.
 
“As I said, I will take the race day-by-day and stay calm. We saw yesterday that there are stronger teams than ours. They built a big advantage and it will be difficult to overcome it. Tomorrow, we will see how we do and after the stage we will make an assessment. 
 
“I felt well today but it is true it was a very straightforward stage which makes it difficult to draw any conclusions. Tomorrow's stage might come early in the race for the riders but not for the fans and spectators and at the end of the day this is all about them.

 

“Tomorrow will come the first test, maybe a bit too soon. We will see how my condition goes, for now the important thing is to rest. It will be like a classics finale, I think people like Valverde, Simon Yates or Brambilla can do a good finale there. We will see how my legs react.

 

”What is clear is that I’m one minute down not just to one favourite but to the majority, so we have to try to make them lose time. It’s difficult but I’m thrilled, I’m racing and home with our great fans.”

 

 “Tomorrow we already have the first climbing challenge of the race with a steep climb in the final so it will be interesting to see who is where,” De Jongh continued.

 

Andrew Talansky safely through first road stage at the Vuelta

Cannondale asked Joe Dombrowski before the stage start today how he would define a successful stage.

 

"Andrew doesn't lose time and we all make it to the finish safely," he said.

 

Mission accomplished.  Team leader Andrew Talansky (62nd place) finished alongside road captain Simon Clarke (64th place) on bunch time. It was a job well done for Cannondale-Drapac on the first road stage of the final Grand Tour of the season.

 

Clarke explains why: "Simply the idea was to keep Andrew out of trouble, and we kept Andrew out of trouble. That was the priority, and we achieved it. It was a straightforward day. The important thing was to make sure we were at the front at the top of the last climb with 10km to go, which we were, and make sure we got though the roundabouts between 5km to go and 2km safely, which we did. And then we just sat and let the guys sprint it out in front of us."