Jean-Christophe Peraud (Ag2r) reached a long-time objective when he finished on the podium at the Vuelta al Pais Vasco. By finishing 5th in the final time trial, the French veteran relegated Alejandro Valverde from the presitigious position in the top 3.

Jean-Christophe Peraud may be 36 years of age but he is certainly better than ever before. Having already won the queen stage of the Tour Mediteraneen, finished fourth in the Tirreno-Adriatico and won the Criterium International overall, he has now also taken a podium spot at the Vuelta al Pais Vasco.

Peraud started the final time trial in 5th but equal on time with Damiano Cunego. He made use of his great TT skills to take fifth on the stage and even though he was passed by Michal Kwiatkowski in the overall standings, he did enough to relegate Alejandro Valverde from his position in the top 3.

The Basque race has always been dear to Peraud's hard and he did nothing to hide that today's result allowed him to reach a big objective.