Kristian Sbaragli once again proved to be on form when stage 10 of La Vuelta a Espana came to conclusion today in Castellòn. The 24-year-old Italian powerhouse rode himself into perfect position over the last kilometer to finally beat John Degenkolb (Giant-Alpecin) and José Joaquín Rojas (Movistar) into second and third. This win marks his first ever triumph in a European UCI race.

With only 146 kilometers to cover and a second-category climb 16 kilometers from the line the race was set to be hectic. There were numerous attacks and it took quite a while until a group of 14 took off. MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung was represented in this break with Tour de France stage winner Steve Cummings. Nevertheless, Giant-Alpecin and Trek had different ideas in mind and kept the group in sight. With 45 kilometers to go the escapees were reeled in.

After that the team played a waiting game to stay in contention. No other attack was meant to be successful. Sbaragli rolled over the climb in about 20th position and managed to hold it together on the fast run-in to Castellòn. Placing 6th twice and 3rd once in the last nine days he waited long to open his sprint. With 200 meters to go he left it all on the bike to celebrate a breakthrough win, the second Grand-Tour stage win for the team this year.

Louis Meintjes rode strong as well and kept his good overall position. He still sits 12th in the GC.
 

"I was feeling really well on the climb and just didn’t want to miss out again," Sbaragli. "I came so close a few times already in this La Vuelta, so I decided to wait until 200 meters to go before leaving it all out there. It’s sensational, something I never tasted before. This win is good for our team, but especially for Qhubeka and our 5.000 bikes campaign.

"After the last corner, I was in 10th position. There were lots of good sprinters around like Degenkolb, Impey, Rojas. I waited for the last 200 metres to start my sprint and it worked. I didn't want to start from too far.

"In stages like this, anything can happen. I had lots of 2nd, 3rd or 4th places. It's my first victory of the season and to get it in the Vuelta is just a dream.

"I was feeling alright [on the climb]. I knew that if I climb it regularly, I could make it. I also knew that if the favorites decided to speed up, it would be difficult. The team helped me a lot. I was able to take my chance and there it was. I rewarded their efforts. I won.

"We have a varied schedule [with all the top sprinters in the team]. I have been working since March and April for the Vuelta. For me, it's as important a race as the Tour or the Giro. I had to seize that opportunity and I did. I'm not happy. I'm super happy !

"I'm not a bunch sprinter. I had written down that stage, stage 8 too. I worked a lot on my weight, my resistance with our hampering my velocity. I'm no Greipel, Kittel or Cavendish. But I try to make the best of my level.

"Yes I was hoping to do well, if not to win. It's never easy when you are at the start with riders who won Milan-San Remo or Grand Tour stage wins. I don't know if I was expecting to win but I was expecting to be a protagonist.

"I signed with MTN-Qhubeka because I didn't get any offers from the big Italian teams. I was only approached by foreign teams. MTN was the first to believe in me. I think I made the right choice. They have believed in me for the past three years and I think I have rewarded them the best I could. Of course I'm staying with them next season.

"The goal was to do something before the rest day because the mountains are coming. I hope to finish this Vuelta because I like to finish what I started. I’m not down for the Worlds either, so I don’t have to take off and prepare for that, and besides, I’d like to play my hand in a sprint in Madrid too.”

"It’s unbelievable, a milestone performance for Kristian," sports director Jens Zemke said. "He rode really well in the first couple of days, but felt disappointed after his near.misses. Today he did everything right and managed to get the team’s second Grand Tour stage win this year. It’s a great moment for us as a team."