Omar Fraile is once again the leader of the Intermediate Sprints and of the King of the Mountain classification in the Vuelta al Pais Vaso.  The Basque rider led the day’s escape with Hugh Carthy, also from the Caja Rural-Seguros RGA team, along with Westra and Armée.

Fraile managed to earn points for both the King of the Mountain and the Intermediate Sprints classifications and took both jerseys again. Hugh Carthy did a great job in the escape to help Fraile earn points and also keep up the pace in order to make the escape last longer. Amets Txurruka was the Caja Rural team’s first rider to cross the finish-line and Pello Bilbao is the team’s best rider in the general classification thus far. 

“I’m tired but satisfied, I didn’t think the wind would be so hard against my face," Fraile said. "Luckily, we were able to lead all the climbs, as was our intention. In the end, we made it until the intermediate sprints. The truth is that Hugh did a great job in the escape, helping me the entire time and keeping a very high pace.

"Now it’s time to rest and see how well we recuperate until the next stage. The team is very enthusiastic, we knew we were in good condition when we arrived and we are proving that, two of us were present in an escape of just four riders, we really want to win this and you can see it throughout the race”

Regarding the jersey exchange with Amets Txurruka, he said: “We were laughing in the hotel, Amets and I, but in the end what really matters is that the jersey stays within the team, that someone in the Caja Rural-Seguros RGA team wins it, it doesn’t matter if it’s Amets, me or another teammate. I’m happy with my performance and with the fact I made it onto the podium, I knew I was in good shape when I arrived, I already felt good in France and I continue to feel well, and I hope to make the most of that."

Hugh Carthy, another of the day’s stars, said: “It was a tough day, the wind was against us, but I’m satisfied, the hard work paid off with Omar’s jerseys. The stage was tough, there were a lot of climbs, but I was able to enjoy it. This race is a beautiful one, it is one of the important ones and it is amazing to ride alongside these fans, with their encouragement and the affection they have for all the Caja Rural-Seguros RGA riders, it is a spectacular feeling to compete with spectators who are so dedicated”.