Many observers believed that Thursday’s stage in the Vuelta a España would be a relatively relaxed affair after the individual time trial on Wednesday and prior to the mountainous challenges lurking on the horizon during the weekend.
Due to the wind, however, a relaxed affair was turned into a hectic day with a punishing finale. Second placed Nicolas Roche (Saxo-Tinkoff) was among the riders who were surprised at how the events of the day unfolded.
“I thought it would be a quiet day but the wind obliged us to stay very attentive during the whole stage,” Roche declared. “I opted for staying away all day. It’s not been a rest day but I’m ok. Yesterday evening, after the time trial, I was exhausted. The daily ceremony takes energy from me every day. I must be careful.”
Roche managed to gain a couple of bonus seconds during the stage and thus narrowed the gap to race leader Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) and solidify his position as runner-up. Roche now trails Nibali by 31 seconds prior to Friday’s stage.
20.05: GP Mazda SCHELKENS |
20.05: Paris - Troyes |
20.05: Ronde van Limburg |
12.05 - 21.05: Tour d'Algérie |
22.05: GP de la Ville d'Annaba |
20.05 - 24.05: Cycling Tour of Albania |
24.05: GP de la Ville d'Alger |
23.05 - 25.05: Tour of Estonia |
25.05: Due Giorni Marchigiana |
25.05: ZLM Omloop der Kempen |
Sadrack TEGUIMAHA 44 years | today |
Gaetan VERLEYEN 21 years | today |
Gian BUTIKOFER 21 years | today |
Kees DUYVESTEYN 26 years | today |
Jiri HUDECEK 38 years | today |
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