Álex García fifth on the ‘queen stage’ of Vuelta Avila
The last day of the Vuelta Ávila started with Álex García and Gabriele Bessega in the top ten of the general classification of the race. The Catalan responded with a great performance throughout the day and could be fifth in the ‘queen’ day.
The stage began with a very high pace and different attacks to try to destabilise the race leader. Halfway through the day and in the middle of the ascent to Mijares (1st) only one rider kept the pulse of a bunch that was already very reduced. Some thirty riders crowned the pass in pursuit of the lone rider in the lead. The climb to Morisco (1st) further selected the group to leave fifteen riders in the lead who would fight for the stage and the overall classification with García among them.
The last climb before the arrival at San Juan de la Nava (2nd) dynamited the group, but no one managed to bring their adventure to a successful conclusion. With 10 kilometres to go, one of the attempts by three riders finally opened up a gap. They fought for the victory with García arriving in the chasing group and finishing fifth. The result was good enough for seventh overall and second best under-23.
“Álex rode very well. He was dropped on the Morisco after an attack by the favorites, but he managed to link up again and then at the finish he was the strongest in his group. He went from strength to strength. The rest were attentive from the start and we couldn’t ask for more from Gabriele. Álex had a good finish and is in very good shape for the Giro del Vall d’Aosta”, explained Rafael Díaz Justo, team sports director.
“I felt very good from the first day, but as the days went by I got better… Today’s stage was very much my profile, very hard and the feeling was very good. In the end it’s a pity, because I felt very good to compete in the stage and they arrived ahead… As for the overall, it’s a pity that yesterday, in the last push over the last pass, we were 2nd in the under-23 classification and without the option of being in the fight for the overall. Now it’s time to rest and look forward to more” summarised Álex García about the three days in Ávila.
