Vuelta Etapa 18 – Marcel Aregger «We are on the limit every day»

The Tour of Spain has not stopped throwing difficulties in the way of the riders.  While Fabio Aru (Astana) managed to win his second stage of the Vuelta at the top of Monte Castrove in front of Christopher Froome, the IAM Cycling riders continued their battle to survive long enough to be able to finish Sunday afternoon in the individual time trial that will take place over the roads of Santiago de Compostela.  Once again it was Vincente Reynes who put in the best performance for the Swiss Pro Continental team, finishing the difficult stage in 54^th place, 13’57” behind the winner, while his teammates finished in the gruppetto at 20’49”.

Marcel Aregger emerged from an ice water bath intended to cool his legs, and then took the trouble to explain how he and his teammates are struggling to shine in the mountain stages.

“We are on the limit every day.  The peloton rides at full-gas from the start and continues to go à bloc even after the breakaway has formed.  We have been suffering through the heat and climbing over many passes.  Our bodies are tired and our sole goal at this point is to arrive at the start line on Sunday to do the final time trial.  It is significant that the gruppetto is made up of 80 riders every day.  Of course I’m new to three week tours, but I’ve never seen anything like this.”

Mario Chiesa, one of the directeurs sportifs for IAM Cycling along with Rubens Bertogliati, confirmed Aregger’s assessment.

“For the majority of the pack, and especially for our young guys, it is only a matter of survival at this point.  It is only the best of the best who are playing for wins and worrying about their time now.  Every day is a constant struggle because everyone is really tired.  Today we tried hard to get in the breakaway with Sébastien Hinault, but the peloton never let up after riding the first two hours at nearly 47km/hr average.  I will be glad to see our brave survivors in Santiago de Compostela on Sunday.”