“I punctured in a downhill and I only got back on two kilometers before the finish. My team did a good job taking me back but it took me the energy I lacked with 1km to go. That was a fast finish!”

With Nikias Arndt and Ramon Sinkeldam, Argos-Shimano has several sprinting options. Today's stage was though not a classical sprint stage and the tough finisj was much better suited to Van Rensburg who is a more versatile rider. However, the unfortunate puncture ruined his chances.

On the flatter stages, Argos-Shimano will try to set up Arndt or Sinkeldam but with the very hilly Vuelta route it is very likely that Van Rensburg will get opportunitis later in the race. Already tomorrows stage may be an opportunity, but the stage is not as tough as today's and he mayhave to lead-out one of his team-mates.