The Vuelta a Espana ended in Madrid with a sprint win for John Degenkolb (Giant-Alpecin) and the ultimate success of Fabio Aru (Astana) who conquered the red jersey on Saturday in Cercedilla. Kenny Elissonde used that stage to escape a fourth time since the start in Marbella. He took the opportunity to gain a spot in the overall standings. Heis 16th in the final standings. 

"I'm happy with my Vuelta," said the climber of the FDJ team. "I really enjoyed it. Because there was not a great leader in the team this year, I have raced differently, often on the attack and that is how I was able to get this final result. Also because my teammates helped me a lot. I finish the Vuelta also knowing that I'm going to stay one more year in my team. "

Even though the end of the Vuelta was upset by the crash of Arnaud Courteille, his teammates fought until the last kilometer. In Saturday's stage, Olivier Le Gac, Kevin Elissonde and Kenny Reza werte in a breakaway of 36 riders and demonstrated that they had the resources at the end of a long race. Le Gachas completed his first Grand Tour after his first professional season and this is obviously a great satisfaction for him and his bosses.

Yesterday Laurent Pichon was in a breakaway of six riders, caughtin the penultimate lap, and Mickael Delage worked to prepare the sprint for Kevin Reza who took ninth place.

"We have not won a stage," concludes sports director Franck Pineau, but it's not for lack of trying. I am very satisfied with my roders, they have been there for three weeks. The downside is the new injury for Arnaud Courteille, so he deserved a drink with his teammates Sunday night!"