Brave Carlos holds fifth as Pidcock moves up

08 Sep 2022

Brave Carlos holds fifth as Pidcock moves up

Vuelta a Espana - Stage 18 » Trujillo › Alto del Piornal, 192km Tour of Britain - Stage 5 » West Bridgford › Mansfield, 186.8km

Carlos Rodriguez holds fifth overall at the Vuelta a Espana following a tough day that saw him battle back from an early crash.
 
The Spanish champ was left heavily cut and bruised following the multi-rider accident, and was supported by the team throughout the mountainous stage.
 
Richard Carapaz and Tao Geoghegan Hart were part of a breakaway group of over 40 riders, with both riders selflessly dropping back on the final climb to help pace Rodriguez.
 
Carapaz helped Rodriguez across the line, with the pair finishing a creditable 16th and 17th atop the Alto del Piornal.
 
The earlier crash also saw the sad abandonment of the leader of the mountain classification, Jay Vine (Alpecin-Deceuninck). Courtesy of sitting second in the competition, Carapaz moved into the blue polka jersey with three stages to go.
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Tom Pidcock sprinted to third place during a chaotic finale to stage five at the Tour of Britain.

The Brit was well supported by his teammates during the stage, and was brought up to the front in the final kilometres by Andrey Amador with the pace high.

After a final burst from Magnus Sheffield, Pidcock was able to battle to third in the sprint, taking four important bonus seconds. The result saw him move into second place, just three seconds off race leader Gonzalo Serrano (Movistar). Pidcock also now moves into the blue points jersey.

Omar Fraile sits third, a further four seconds back, following another strong day from the team, who set about controlling the day's break and creating a hard final.
Reaction

- Tom Pidcock

"I’m finding my feet a little bit. It was a first few days of not really knowing my place. I think it was a successful day. That’s what we planned at the start of the day. We controlled the break, made sure there was nothing dangerous happening there, then do a good leadout and try to take some bonus seconds. That’s what we did. I don’t think I’m quick enough to win a bunch sprint but getting some bonus seconds is exactly what we wanted to do. 
 
"We did a good leadout. It was a hectic finish and no one really taking it up with small teams. 
 
"I think [victory] is possible. It’s three seconds and there are a lot of time bonuses on the road. That’s what the goal is. Three more days of racing to try and win."