Junior Lecerf moves into the top ten overall after an impressive stage in the breakaway.
T-Rex Quick-Step rode a great tactical race on Sunday, when our team placed four riders in the huge lead group that ended up finishing more than 13 minutes in front of the peloton, just as the Vuelta was preparing to bring to a conclusion its second week.
Gianmarco Garofoli, Junior Lecerf, Maximilian Schachmann and Louis Vervaeke were all there for our team, part of the large group that ended up establishing the biggest buffer a breakaway has had since the start of the race more than two weeks ago, in Italy. Around 120 kilometers from the line, on an uphill part, Louis Vervaeke attacked, and joined by KOM leader Jay Vine (UAE Team Emirates), he continued to press on, opening what at one point looked to be a promising three-minute gap.
Unfortunately for the duo, it all started going downhill when several riders, including the green jersey, attacked and formed a strong chasing group that began chewing into their advantage. Despite a fantastic effort of Vervaeke and his companion, the catch was made seven kilometers from the line and the win went to Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek). Louis, who attacked again with two kilometers to go but was quickly shut down, finished seventh and was rewarded with the most combative rider of the day prize.
“I was surprised that those behind decided to collaborate when there was a fast guy in the group, but it is as it is. It’s just something that I don’t understand. We were really hoping that we would hold them off, we put in a strong effort and were really committed. When we went, we thought that maybe more would come, but it was just us and we continued like this. The outcome is frustrating, but I have no regrets because I know that I gave everything”, Louis explained at the finish.
Junior Lecerf came home around 20 seconds later, with the rest of the breakaway, and thanks to his presence there, he made a superb jump of four places on the general classification, cracking the top ten overall and moving within three seconds of the eighth place.
“We tried something today and it ended up being a solid day for us. Louis was incredibly strong, and it’s a pity they caught him, as he would have deserved to go all the way”, said the 22-year-Belgian in Mondorte de Lemos. “I am ninth at the moment and this makes me happy. I know it will be difficult, but I will try to defend my position. Now it’s time to recover a bit and then focus on the last week of the race.”
