Vuelta Etapa 2 – Matteo Pelucchi «I just needed a little more luck»

Heat (35°C), wind and nervousness marked the second stage of the Tour of Spain won in a sprint by Nacer Bouhanni (FDJ.fr). Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) took over the leader’s jersey from his teammate.  On this stage promised for the sprinters, IAM Cycling made every effort to assist and protect Matteo Pelucchi, the team’s sprint specialist.  Accordingly, the Italian managed to snag himself a 10^th place.

Shortly after Pelucchi doused himself with ice water, he was ready to analyze his stage very lucidly.

“It’s only a 10^th place finish, and considering all the great work done by the team, I have to feel like I have not fulfilled my mission.  I was not too badly placed throughout the run up to final 10 kilometers.  Then two Orica riders crashed and caused some disorganization in the team.  I also had to put in a big effort after the last climb and was forced to go à bloc in order to regain my place among the best.  Unfortunately, when it came to jump for the line, I could not muster the same speed.  I was just missing a little bit of luck, but I am anxious to put in the necessary work to make something better happen in these few stages remaining for the sprinters.”

Marcello Albasini, directeur sportif along with Mario Chiesa, calmly commented on the day’s result.

“Today, we started out with a goal to win, and the guys did their jobs well.  But things in the final did not go as planned.  A crash in the pack near the end disrupted the preparation and small mistakes that go hand in hand with the inexperience of some of the younger riders reduced our chances.  But we will keep trying to do everything we can to get a stage victory in the Vuelta.”