The Team LottoNL-Jumbo riders failed to make the 24-man leading group in the Vuelta a España stage 19 today. One of them was stage winner Alexis Gougeard (AG2R La Mondiale).

“We wanted to be part of the breakaway today, but we didn’t make it,” sports director, Erik Dekker said after the stage. “That’s a shame. We tried to get in front in all of the stages in which there were chances for escapes. Today was the first time we failed. Fatigue plays a role, of course, but our men started today’s race ready to get in that breakaway.”

One of them was Bert-Jan Lindeman.

“I tried to escape several times in the beginning of the stage, but we didn’t get enough space,” he explained. “Shortly afterwards, that big group broke away and I wasn’t with it. You have to be a little lucky as well, but it was really frustrating."

“I feel that I took a big step in my development, this Vuelta. Even this week, I was doing quite well uphill and I want to prove that another time tomorrow,” he finished.

“It’s an extraordinary tough stage tomorrow,” Dekker continued. “Bennett is our main gun. He saved his energy today and yesterday for the 20th stage. Besides that, we want to reach Madrid with some of our rookies. That’s part of our race plan tomorrow, as well.”