After his splendid performance in the Route du Sud, Pierre-Roger Latour (Ag2r) confirmed his huge potential by taking third in the first big GC stage at the Vuelta a Burgos.

"Quentin Jauregui was in a breakaway which was caught about fifteen kilometers from the finish," he said. "Alexis (Gougeard) then tried his luck. The end of the stage was on a 25km climb of which the last three averaged 8% . When Scarponi attacked, I did not want to follow him. I preferred to ride at my pace and do my effort 250 meters from the line. I saw that I was catching the guys.

"I'm happy with the result, even if I would have liked to win for the team that has worked for me all day. Last night the alarm of a society that was next to the hotel rang all night, I did not really sleep well. Still, the sensations were good. For the GC, nothing is done The final stage is a real test and anything can happen." 

"Pierre confirms that he is a rider for stage races," sports director Didier Jannel said. "The Tour of Burgos is for riders who are busy preparing for the Vuelta and the level is high. However, Pierre is among the best as he had shown during the Route du Sud (3rd behind Contador and Quintana, ed.). Now everything will be decided in the final stage."