Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team's main goal in the 197.8km Stage 3 of La Vuelta a España was to protect leader Rigoberto Uran, and put him in the best position for a good finish and to remain high up in the general classification.
Consider the OPQS goal accomplished, though it wasn't easy on a blazing hot day at La Vuelta. Uran placed 11th out of a select group that finished 7 seconds ahead of other riders. He is now 4th in the overall classification.
Michael Matthews (Orica-Green-EDGE) was able to win the race in a hectic final that was not clear who would win until just before the finish line. He beat out Daniel Martin (Garmin-Sharp) and Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha).
Gianluca Brambilla of OPQS is now 10th in the GC after placing 22nd in the stage. OPQS did a great job keeping Uran close to the front in the final kilometers where all the top GC teams were fighting for control of the front.
The race came back together with about 25km to go in the stage, as the original breakaway had as much as an 8 minute gap at one point during the stage.
The parcours, which was undulating with three Category 3 climbs, still managed to create some gaps in the field with a high pace in the final.
OPQS looks next to 164.7km Stage 4, which is a flat stage that can favor the group arrival. The sprinter's stage ends in Cordoba. Tom Boonen has fond memories of Cordoba — he won the sprint there at La Vuelta in 2008.
"Today the team did a good job," Uran said. "Our goal was to be there with the top guys in the final. We took the lead at 5 kilometers to go and they led me perfectly to the finish line. On a hot stage with a lot going on in the last kilometers, it was important to stay in front and not lose seconds. We did it, so this was a perfectly good day that we can look at over our shoulders."
"On a super hot day like today it's important to drink a lot, and often," Sport Director Rik Van Slycke said. "To give an idea of the high temperature and its effects, we used four fridges full of bidons for a total of almost 220 bottles for our riders. We also had two masseurs on the last climb with 20 more bottles. Hydration is important not only for the race, but also recovery as we have to think about tomorrow and the next days. To further accelerate recovery, we had our ice baths at the finish. They all use it with great pleasure after a day like today."
