Volta a Catalunya – Stage 5 – Martin Elmiger «I really had good legs, and did everything I could for Pantano»

Outside the pavilion Xavi Tondo in Valls, Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) raised his arms in victory for the second time at this Tour of Catalonia.  He raised his arms to the sky not only for his victory, but also as a tribute to a former teammate who died in 2011.  Five seconds behind him, Richie Porte (Sky) crossed the line with a handful of top names, which was enough for Porte to take over the leader’s jersey for the sixth stage on Saturday.  Behind this group, the battle for the general classification continues, which includes the efforts of Jarlinson Pantano who finished 19th for the stage and sits in 11th place overall.  The Columbian rider for IAM Cycling was happy to be able to count on the help of his teammates for this very tricky stage.

The team, in fact, was the key to doing well for this fifth stage of the Tour of Catalonia. Pantano was quick to admit that.  “I only have words of thanks for my IAM Cycling teammates today,” the tired rider from Columbia said directly after the race.  And as for Martin Elmiger, the respected road captain for the team, he was able to help his leader to keep his position during key parts of the race.  “Unfortunately, we lost the wheel of the leaders of the race shortly before the final.  Ten riders slipped away and then they were able to widen the gap,” the Swiss national champion explained.  “They were going very fast, and we were not able to rejoin them.  But in the end, I had really good legs, and I did everything I could to help Pantano, but unfortunately, he was not able to stay at the head of the race.  There was wind all day.  Everyone wanted to be up front so not to be caught out, and it took a lot to hold a position. We worked a lot and very hard at the front, particularly with Larry Warbasse and Jerome Coppel, and we were obviously working for Jarlinson.  I think the last stage in Barcelona will be really hard and very important.  I do not think we will be able to move Jarlinson up ten places overall, but we will still try to do something.  We didn’t lose any places today, and that is already an accomplishment.”

For the sports director of IAM Cycling, Mario Chiesa, the team’s strength on the fifth stage was undoubtedly how well the group worked for its leader.  “This morning we went in the breakaway with Larry Warbasse, which was one of the goals from the briefing.  They were riding very fast from the start with a 54km/h average in the first hour.  For me, the wind made the biggest difference today.  The team did quite a good job for Jarlinson Pantano.  In the final split of the peloton, we managed to stay in the second group, and that’s where both Martin Elmiger and Jerome Coppel did a great job.  And then Pantano did his absolute best, just like the rest of the team.”