25 August 2016
IAM Cycling
THE EXCLAMATION
From Mathias Frank: I really believed I could win, and I will try my luck again.
THE EXPLANATION
Again according to Mathias Frank: We figured that he breakaway would have a good chance of making it to the finish today. And I wasnt missing too much to have been the winner. I felt very good. When I attacked to strike out on my own, I really gave it everything I had. The problem was that the peloton split up and the guys chasing me were fresher and faster. Under those types of conditions, it was really impossible to take it all the way to the end. Even if I feel a touch disappointed, in the end I am confident for the rest of the race. I intend to find another opening; I came here to win a stage, not go for the general classification.
THE MUG SHOT
From Marcel Wyss. The motorcycle covering the race for tv greatly helped out the guys chasing. Throughout the stage, it was positioned only a few meters ahead of the first riders in the pack, and they were able to enjoy a bit of a slipstream. But that really is nothing new. But it is not fair, since it is a disadvantage for the attackers.
THE FACT OF THE DAY
Mathias Frank had been in the break all day, and still secured a strong 7th place in a stage where there was hardly a flat meter of road. Striking out solo with 17 kilometers to the finish, Frank was finally passed by stage winner Simon Yates (Orica BikeExchange) with less than four kilometers to go to the finish.
THE WEATHER
With a blazing sun, the mercury climbed to 34 degrees. Consequently all the riders drank gallons of water bottles while also cooling off with nylon stockings filled with ice.
THE ORGANIZER
Technical manager of the race, Fernando Escartín, accompanied by his deputy Kiko Garcia, met with all team managers before the start of the stage in order to apologize for the late crash caused by a street pole in the roadway at the end of Wednesdays stage.
THE ANALYSIS
Given by Eddy Seigneur, directeur sportif for IAM Cycling, accompanied by Marcello Albasini and Mario Chiesa: Only a little bit was missing in order to see Mathias Frank take the stage victory, which would meet the teams goal for this Vuelta. Frank, our team leader, fought till the end, and fulfilled the game plan that we had talked about at the team meeting in the morning. Nothing ventured nothing gained and here he gained about twenty seconds.”
THE MENU FOR THE DAY
For Fridays stage there are not many flat meters in the 158.5 kilometers to be raced for the seventh stage that ends in Puebla de Sanabria. With three category 3 passes, the attacking riders will have plenty to do.
Race Pictures – BettiniPhoto
