After Robert Gesink's withdrawal, Belkin are focused on stage wins in the Vuelta a Espana. Today they took their chance with Paul Martens in the sprint.

Belkin Pro Cycling TEAM's Paul Martens sprinted to seventh as Adam Hansen (Lotto-Belisol) surprised the bunch in stage 19 at the Vuelta a España.

The Australian attacked with 5km to go to spoil the chances for the sprinters after the peloton lurched over a late climb. Martens dashed to his third top-10 of this Vuelta, but Hansen took the flowers, crossing the line five seconds ahead of the main pack.

"It was the last chance to show something in this Vuelta. I gave it all today. I was glad I could hang on over the top of the climb, and then I was focused on the sprint," Martens said. "In the end, there was no control in the bunch, and because it wasn't so fast, it was hard to find the position. Also, on the last corner, it was different than what they said in the road book, and I went around a long way, so I lost a bit there. But it's a good sign that I could hang on during the climb and still make a strong sprint. I hope that I can come out of this Vuelta and make a strong world championships."
 

Wilco Kelderman finished safely tucked in the main pack, crossing the line 28th with the same time as the main GC contenders. Kelderman retained 14th overall, 20:05 behind race leader Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo). Saturday's climbing stage will be final decisive battleground for the top riders. 

"I think Wilco and maybe Laurens [ten Dam], they are the only two guys who are capable of going in the break or doing a result tomorrow. For everyone else, it's a survival day," Martens said. "Today was the last chance to have a good result, and we can be satisfied with seventh place. Tomorrow we will try, but everyone is a bit tired at the end of the Vuelta."
 

The 69th Vuelta continues Saturday with the 185.7km 20th stage ending atop the race's final major mountaintop finale at Os Ancares. The last hard stage before Sunday's time trial finale should see the overall standings all but settled.

"Today, Giant-Shimano took control of the race, and it all came down to the last climb. I told the guys they could attack if they had the legs, but Hansen is the one who did, and it worked," said Belkin Sports Director Erik Dekker. "The guys have been recovering well, and tomorrow, they will be fine, but it will be very hard. That's a grand tour. They are always hard. But a time trial on Sunday of only 10km, they will love that!"