Vuelta Etapa 17 – Vicente Reynes «That was a bit of a crazy stage»

John Degenkolb (Giant Shimano) secured his fourth stage win of the Tour of Spain in a hotly contested sprint.  Alberto Contador is still wearing the leader’s red jersey.  IAM Cycling’s five survivors found a touch of success with Vincente Reynes 10^th place on the stage, which followed the second rest day of the Vuelta.

Though the Majorcan on the Swiss Pro Continental team suffered through the three mountain stages with a cold and struggled to breathe well, Reynes feels as though he has recovered his health and can finish his national tour in style.

“It was a bit of a crazy stage that still had 2800 meters of altitude gain.  There was not a meter of flat road, and the pack certainly was not taking it easy to admire the landscape.  The sprinters’ teams controlled the breakaway, and then the question of who would win the day really was settled over the selective cobbled climb near the finish.  I managed to stay in the main group, but found myself blocked when the sprinters turned on the afterburners.  But I am pretty happy with this place in the top-10, and we certainly have not said our last word.   The team is still determined to win a stage in this Vuelta.”

Rubens Bertogliati, directeur sportif along with Mario Chiesa, was very complimentary of his riders after the stage.

“The team showed great heart in light of the demanding course.  With the solidarity the group feels, the guys did their best to help Vincente Reynes.  His 10^th place confirmed the fact that IAM Cycling is not coasting to the finish of the Tour of Spain.  There is still a small chance that we can hit our goal of a stage victory before the end of the race on Sunday.”