La Vuelta, stage 12 – IAM Cycling is in the thick of it with Devenyns and Frank

THE EXCLAMATION

From Dries Devenyns: “Obviously the only thing that matters is the victory. But being able to be at the front of the race at this sort of level gives me great satisfaction. In my heart, I know that on this stage, I was the strongest. So, even though I didn’t manage the win, I am comforted by that thought.”

THE EXPLANATION

Again given by Dries Devenyns. “Coming to the Vuelta, my personal goal was clear: to win a stage. Twice now I have been very close. Even today when I broke away I believed in my chances. Unfortunately, I didn’t quite manage to achieve it. But that doesn’t mean that I won’t try again.”

THE ANALYSIS

Offered by Eddy Seigneur. “Dries Devenyns has been itching for that victory for some time now. In the streets of Bilbao, he came very close to raising his arms in triumph. As a consolation, he can see that there are still several stages that could suit him. And we have other riders who are still able to be successful in this Vuelta. Mathias Frank and Marcel Wyss in particular proved that after twelve days into this race we can still count on them.”

THE STRAIGHT TALKER

Mathias Frank: “Once again, the motorcycles hovering around us favored the peloton in its hunt for the breakaway artist. Dries Devenyns calculated his shot perfectly. But the group had the benefit of this slipstream, and managed to reel in Dries with barely a kilometer to go to the line.”

THE PLACE

As a member of a counterattacking group, Mathias Frank was also very much present for the team in the final. The Swiss rider crossed the finish line in tenth place and was given the same time as stage winner, Jens Keukeleire (Orica BikeExchange). “My legs are responding well,” the Swiss rider said. “I feel good on the bike. And I am having fun, which is the most important thing.”

Race Pictures – BettiniPhoto