Last year Warren Barguil impressed the entire cycling world when he won two stages of the Vuelta a Espana in what was his first professional season. Today he showed that he had taken up another step when he attacked at the very finale of the queen stage of the high-level Volta a Catalunya.

 

Warren Barguil finished eighth at the top of the finish climb on today’s fourth stage of the Volta Ciclista a Catalunya, the hardest stage of the race with a testing summit finish at 2200m altitude.

 

Barguil looked for a moment like he may hang-on to take a solo victory after a strong move in the final 3km however the overall favourites came back up to his wheel towards the finish and he faded towards the line, holding on for a top-10.

 

All the other Team Giant-Shimano riders finished the stage without any difficulties, even with the harsh cold and wet climatic conditions currently hampering the peloton in Spain.

 

The day started with a 1st category climb from the off and a move of four riders quickly pulled clear and spent the majority of the stage out

front before finally being reeled back in on the run in to the final climb.

 

The attacks came thick and fast and Barguil  attacked twice in the final, including a solo hit for glory in the final 3km. In the end it was Tejay van Garderen (BMC Racing Team) who came across the line first, while Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha) kept his overall race lead.

 

After warming up at the finish, Barguil  said:

 

“The legs were good on the final climb today but without the help the guys gave me I wouldn’t have been in the front group at the bottom. I punctured when the race started to split and Georg gave me his wheel, then Thomas Damuseau led me back to the front group.

 

“In the final kilometres I wanted to attack as the favourites were watching each other. It’s a bit of dream to be climbing in that company and I am really happy with this result.”

 

Speaking from the team car behind the groupetto, Team Giant-Shimano coach, Addy Engels said:

 

“Today was a really strong performance from Warren and when you look at who he was climbing with it underlines his talent at such a young age.

 

“The plan was to support Warren thoughout the stage and get him to the base of the final climb in a strong position like yesterday. The guys did a good job in this, especially given the conditions out there. At one point Warren had a flat tyre and the peloton had split so the car was not right there; Georg Preidler was there straightaway to give him his wheel so he didn’t lose any time.

 

“The plan for Warren was a high overall GC position and he’s now moved into the top-10 which is already a strong result.”

 

You can read our preview of stage five here.