Benat Intxausti crowned a beautiful season with an overall win in the final WorldTour race of year, Tour of Beijing. The victory is a great confidence boost for the Spaniard who hopes to continue his gradual improvement in 2014.
Benat Intxausti has long been regarded as a big stage racing talent but until today, the big win has eluded him. He finally stepped onto the top of the podium in a big stage race earlier today when he won the Tour of Beijing, the final WorldTour race of the season.
The win crowns a good season that also included a stage win and 8th place in the Giro d'Italia. He appeared to never hit his best form in the Vuelta a Espana where he worked in support of Alejandro Valverde and so it was important for him to get a confidence boost ahead of the winter training.
The results is the icing on the cake in a year that has generally been satisfying for the Movistar rider.
"I'm happy with my whole season, and especially with crowning the team's performance this year with such a special success," he said. "It's a beautiful victory that gives you confidence to keep improving next year. I already stated yesterday that this win was a result of the work and good atmosphere inside the squad; I have to thank them for all they did for me and also the people supporting me all the way through to this fantastic season."
The race was the last one for Intxausti in 2013 and like most of his competitors, he is looking forward to a break from racing.
"Now it's time to enjoy the podium, the dinner with my team-mates and, once we land home, have some rest and enjoy some good holidays," he said.
In addition to Intxausti's win, Movistar could also celebrate the 4th place of Rui Costa. As CyclingQuotes had already calculated yesterday, the results were enough for the team to take the win in the WorldTour team rankings away from Sky in the final race of the season-long series.
17.04 - 21.04: Tour de Tunisie |
18.04 - 21.04: Eroica Juniores |
19.04 - 21.04: EPZ Omloop van Borsele |
20.04 - 21.04: Gipuzkoa Klasika |
21.04: Liège-Bastogne-Liège |
21.04: Giro della Romagna |
21.04: Gent-Wevelgem U23 |
21.04: EPZ Omloop van Borsele |
21.04: Liège-Bastogne-Liège Femmes |
21.04: Gent-Wevelgem Junior |
Erwann CORBEL 33 years | today |
Michela MALTESE 29 years | today |
Adele DESGAGNES 22 years | today |
Kristian DYRNES 32 years | today |
Lasse MORTENSGAARD 29 years | today |
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