Bais on the breakaway, Fetter and Sevilla still with the best

Fernando Gaviria had declared it before the start: I will win. And so it was, with the Colombian rider doing well to respond to Filippo Ganna’s final attack to raise his arms on the finish line in Barreal. At the end of a stage that saw the guys in EOLO KOMETA’s blue jersey give it their all to try and make their mark on the race. First to show up was Bais, fully recovered after his fall the previous day, who managed to enter the breakaway of thirteen riders that reached a lead of more than seven minutes. Ruining the plans of the day’s attackers was Egan Bernal, who moved alone causing the group to react: the breakaway was cancelled, and a small group of sixty riders formed with our own Diego Sevilla and Erik Fetter. The two EOLO KOMETA riders did well to hold on to the end and finish with the best. Now the Vuelta a San Juan will observe a rest day, before what will most likely be the stage that will decide the race.

Biagio Conte: “Today in the meeting we had thought of going in the breakaway with Raccani, then as often happens things went differently and in the breakaway was Bais. Initially the group let it go, but when Bernal moved behind, the pace increased and the breakaway was over: the group kept going very fast, so much so that the sprinters broke away and in front we were left with our Fetter and Sevilla. I had asked Erik to try to anticipate the sprint, but he didn’t have the legs and stayed with the group, while Sevilla did very well and got a good placing. Now, let’s get some rest.”

Diego Sevilla: “It was a tough day because of the speed that was always high, there was a breakaway where Davide managed to get in and the group let it go but when Bernal moved everything changed and this group formed with strong people like Gaviria and Sagan, and Total like Movistar had an interest in getting to the end so they pushed really hard. It was important for us to stay in front with Erik since the next stage will be the most important, I would have liked to sprint at the end but I didn’t have the strength and anyway I’m happy: I’m adapting well to the heat, I’m racing well.”