Koen's report of Stage 16 of the Vuelta
A long and flat stage today, which was expected to finish in a
mass sprint, especially as it followed a rest day whereby loads of
riders were able to catch up on rest. Despite that we had the idea
that today's stage would end in a big breakaway group that would
stay away and get the win as many of the sprinters have already
dropped out of the race.
We started the stage and kept the team at the front of the peloton
but soon enough it was clear that teams such as Lampre (for
Petacchi) and Liquigas (for Sagan) would control the stage and make
it finish in a sprint. Due to this three men got away only a few
kilometres into the stage and the peloton behind just rode a tempo
to control the group's advantage.
It appeared to be a typical mass sprint stage with the exception of
the Leopard Trek team accelerating at 35km from the finish which
woke us up about what could happen later on, even though their move
did not succeed with the side winds. In the finale we were planning
on working for Tom Veelers and I was due to be his final lead out
man with Roy Curvers leading out before me. Our plan was that with
6km to go before the zone with alot of corners we were ride close
to the front and then just before the final kilometre we would move
to the head of the peloton. Unfortunately Tom's had a mechanical
with his wheel so that with 2km to go we had to completely change
our plan and I was to become the sprinter. Changing a plan is
always really hard as in an instant I was now supposed to save all
my energy until the final moment and I was unable to use Curvers as
he had already spent his energy. Normally when I would ride for
Veelers I would go to the front just before the final kilometre but
I tried to use the other sprinters to save my energy and as a
result I was abit behind when we entered the final 500m. I had
studied the route guide very well before hand and I had heard on
our communication that we would be taking a left at the final
roundabout so when there was some confusion and some riders took
the wrong side of the roundabout I was able to take the correct
left turn without braking. Unfortunately due to the confusion a
huge gap had formed ahead of me to the first 4 riders so I had no
choice but to start my sprint early and I was pipped just before
the line by Howard so I finished in 6th place.
In the end I am very happy with my 6th place and I had great legs.
I wasn't in the ideal position to start the final 500m but
sprinting out from behind someone is much easier so its a shame
that the gap had formed ahead of me and I had to sprint into the
wind, but as I said 6th place is still a nice result, especially
considering I didn't know until 2km from the finish that I would be
going for my own chances.
Tomorrow will be another tough stage in the Vuelta with a uphill
finish, the last of this Vuelta!
Greetings, Koen