22 August 2016
IAM Cycling
THE APPEAL
From Simon Pellaud: “I am here to earn a contract for 2017, and I hope that my name on the TV will spur on the offers.
THE QUOTE
Again from Simon Pellaud: I am guilty of racing without proper confidence because I did not think that I could follow climbers like Geniez, Arroyo, and Serry over those first two climbs. So I took off after the mountains jersey. I am disappointed because in the end, a rider from the break went to the finish. If I had saved myself a little more, I could have even dreamed of the leaders jersey because I was ahead of Geniez in the overall classification.
THE ANALYSIS
According to Simon Pellaud once more: I thought Id have a quiet day in the peloton. But I tried my luck once, and that was the break that stuck. I enjoyed it because I am comfortable in these weather conditions. And I am satisfied with my winning the red bib number as the most aggressive rider for the stage. I succeeded on mounting the podium for a stage in a grand tour, and that is an accomplishment I wont quickly forget.
THE EXPLANATION
Mario Chiesa, the directeur sportif for IAM Cycling along with Marcello Albasini and Eddy Seigneur, explained: Simon Pellaud applied the instructions we gave the team at the morning meeting, and joined the breakaway for the day. He started off well and even crested the initial climb, which was a third category, as the first rider over the top. Unfortunately, his legs lost some snap on the second category climb. He was missing only a few hundred meters in order to get the full points there, which would likely have given him the jersey as the best climber. He then did manage to bridge back up to the leading duo that had passed him at the top of the climb, but it was a mission impossible to hold on throughout the final climb. He was just out of strength. The experience he has gained from this stage will likely help Simon score something big, even during this Vuelta. He really deserves it because he has worked hard since the beginning of the season.
THE FACT OF THE DAY
The solo victory by Alexandre Geniez (FDJ) came after he had joined the breakaway that escaped the pack after just 19 kilometers of racing. Nevertheless, he found the strength to hold off the favorites of La Vuelta, in spite of having to scale an 1800 meter wall that preceded the finish line.
THE WEATHER
The sun relentlessly pounded the heads of the riders throughout the stage in Galicia. The mercury eventually climbed to 34 degrees Celsius.
THE MENU FOR THE DAY
With 3295 meters of elevation gain scheduled for the 163.5 kilometers fourth stage, the riders of the Vuelta will find plenty to keep them warm in spite of the relatively cool 28 degrees that have been forecasted. The final ascent is 11 km long with an average gradient of around 5%.
Race Picutre – BettiniPhoto
