Koen's report of Stage 8 of the Vuelta

Today I really wanted to be part of the breakaway seen as I could potentially take the mountains jersey. From the first kilometre I tried several times but it took a long time before a group got away but that group contained no less than 25 men. Liquigas rode full blast behind as they had missed the move so when the group was caught, two riders got away.
It became a tactical battle with the peloton falling still behind and I wasn't able to get away, not even when two more riders got away. When the second group of two had about a minute's advantage I managed to break away. I hoped that the guys ahead would wait but they kept going full blast. I almost managed to join the group but I fell short by about 200m.

When the first cateogry climb began I needed to catch my beadth after which I tried one last time to bridge to the group but I did not manage it. In the end I decided to pace myself up the climb so that I would manage to get a point in the mountains competition by crossing the top in 5th place. After that I let myself be caught by the peloton.

Due to my adventure between the leading group and the peloton I really tired myself out and I just tried to stay in the peloton for as long as possible. With about 35km as the pace got hot, I joined a small group that formed that just wanted to ride out to the finish. I crossed the line 18 minutes after the winner. Hopefully next week I will once again try to get away during a tough stage.

Tomorrow will be a relatively flat stage that finishes on an enormous mountain, so on paper is not a day for me. I will spare my energy instead.

Greetings, Koen

Photo: Koen between the leading group and the peloton (with thanks to Cor Vos)