Ruta del Sol – Stage 5 – Sylvain Chavanel «Lobato was really untouchable»

Without having to face any major complication, the fifth and final stage of the Ruta del Sol nevertheless was far from a walk in the park for the IAM Cycling team.  Wind, nervousness, and finally a 9% ramp in the final, provided the riders with a worthy end to an exciting race.  And the top man for this final day in Andalusia ended up being again Juan José Lobato (Movistar), who had already secured a victory earlier in the event.  Chris Froome (Team Sky) was left with no reason to fear for his overall lead, and therefore ended the day still two seconds ahead of runner up Alberto Contador (Saxo-Tinkoff).

IAM Cycling’s Sylvain Chavanel once again demonstrated his good form by taking 3rd place on the stage and 9th in the overall standings.

So far this season Spain has provided fertile proving grounds for the IAM Cycling riders.  Along with the two wins Matteo Pelucchi secured a few weeks ago in Mallorca, the Swiss Professional team confirmed its excellent start to the season, especially on the Iberian Peninsula, with very good results at the Ruta del Sol.

“The results are very positive,” directeur sportif Mario Chiesa explained. 

“I think Sylvain Chavanel has achieved a very good result.  To have finished this strongly after having ridden so well on the two very difficult stages that preceded, and then still been able to pull out a sprint today is really great.  Reflecting on the things that did not go so well, we have to go back to that huge crash on stage one. It’s a shame because I think if Sébastien Reichenbach had not fallen that day, then he too would have been able to do a top-10 overall.  Clearly, it would have been very positive if we had been able to place two in the first ten riders on the overall classification.  And then if we want to return to things that did work out very well, we should keep in mind Jérôme Coppel’s performance where he was able to be third in the time trial, and then we as a squad finished third on the team classification.”

So, with nothing but praise from Mario Chiesa, Sylvain Chavanel was also able to feel content with his race.

“I am happy with third place, especially since it was an uphill finish,” the French rider said.

“Lobato was simply untouchable today, he jumped very, very hard before the final corner, which was the hardest part.  Degenkolb followed him, and then I followed Degenkolb, and we all kept our positions till the line.  So, no regrets.”

On the contrary, Chavanel is happy to take the lessons away from the race.  

“I need to keep in mind that my condition is getting better, and that is the main point,” Chavanel continued.  “I try to mingle in with the sprints because when you never try it, you lose the ability, you lose the feeling a little.  And then the day will arrive when I am coming up to the finish line with a small group, it is important still to know how to act as a sprinter.  For this year’s Ruta del Sol, I finished in the top-10, so I am satisfied, both for myself and the team.”