Cangas do Morrazo, 12th of September – 2014
Today, Tinkoff-Saxo and the rest of the Vuelta peloton took on stage 19 of the Spanish Grand Tour. The 180.7 kilometer long course from Salvaterra do Mino to Cangas do Morrazo was dominated by a breakaway trio but several teams eyed an opportunity of stage success and with support from Tinkoff-Saxo, they were reeled in. Adam Hansen launched a late attack and won the stage while Alberto Contador enjoyed a day in the peloton and is now two stages away from the final podium.
Laurent Mangel (FDJ), Pim Lighthart (Lotto-Belisol) and Wout Poels (Omega-Pharma Quick Step) formed the long-lasting breakaway of the day. But as the Tinkoff-Saxo pack picked up the pace in the front of the bunch, they were swept up with 20 kilometers remaining.
Hitting the final of two minor climbs of the stage, Team Sky controlled the pace while Alberto Contador stayed behind with teammates supporting him. Cresting the summit, attacks lit up the finale on the tricky descent. On the bumpy run-in to the finish line, Adam Hansen (Lotto-Belisol) sailed off into the distance on the final kilometers and as the sprinters were too few to drive the peloton at their usual pace, the Aussie took the win.
Tinkoff-Saxo’s Alberto Contador finished in the diminished bunch surrounded by teammates to keep the overall lead.
Matteo Tosatto says:
“Today’s stage was a photocopy of the last few stages. A very fast start, then a breakaway while we did a good job trying to be in front before the climbs. Another stage is over and now we have only two to go. The 19 stages covered so far have been exhaustive but we have been helped by the good weather. Something that in my opinion is very important. We have shown excellent team work and that helps you go through even the toughest stages.”
Our DS, Steven De Jongh comments:
“I think it was a good day for us without any problems. Once again, the start of the stage was very fast. After that, a group went away and Giant-Shimano took control, trying to win the stage with Degenkolb. At the end, Adam Hansen attacked and got a well-deserved victory. For Tinkoff-Saxo it was a good ride. On the climb we were where we wanted to be. We suffered no crashes and I really hope Cataldo is doing fine. Now, it is all up for tomorrow.”
Stage result:
1 Adam Hansen (Aus) Lotto Belisol 4:21:58
2 John Degenkolb (Ger) Team Giant-Shimano 0:00:05
3 Filippo Pozzato (Ita) Lampre-Merida 0:00:05
4 Yannick Martinez (Fra) Team Europcar 0:00:05
5 Michael Matthews (Aus) Orica Greenedge 0:00:05
6 Geoffrey Soupe (Fra) FDJ.fr 0:00:05
7 Paul Martens (Ger) Belkin Pro Cycling Team 0:00:05
8 Jasper Stuyven (Bel) Trek Factory Racing 0:00:05
9 Romain Hardy (Fra) Cofidis, Solutions Credits 0:00:05
10 Damiano Caruso (Ita) Cannondale 0:00:05
Overall classification:
1 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Tinkoff-Saxo 76:00:40
2 Christopher Froome (GBr) Team Sky 0:01:19
3 Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (Spa) Movistar Team 0:01:32
4 Joaquin Rodriguez Oliver (Spa) Team Katusha 0:02:29
5 Fabio Aru (Ita) Astana Pro Team 0:03:15
6 Daniel Martin (Irl) Garmin Sharp 0:06:52
7 Samuel Sanchez (Spa) BMC Racing Team 0:06:59
8 Warren Barguil (Fra) Team Giant-Shimano 0:09:12
9 Damiano Caruso (Ita) Cannondale 0:09:45
10 Daniel Moreno Fernandez (Spa) Team Katusha 0:12:49
