23 Mar 2021
Dennis storms to Catalunya TT victory
Related riders
Rohan Dennis
Volta a Catalunya - Stage 2: Banyoles ITT, 18.5km
Rohan Dennis produced a superb ride to claim a five-second victory in the stage two time trial at Volta a Catalunya.
The Australian's first victory for the team was also his first since taking the TT world title in Yorkshire in 2019. Success on roads local to his home, and with family and friends cheering him on, made it all the more special for Dennis.
One of the earlier starters down the ramp, Dennis set a benchmark five seconds up on rival Remi Cavagna (Deceuninck-Quick-Step), and was able to occupy the hot seat for the rest of the stage.
It was a strong day for the Grenadiers with no less than five riders in the top 15. Richie Porte and Adam Yates put themselves in strong GC positions with sixth and seventh fastest times respectively. Geraint Thomas was 10th, with Jonathan Castroviejo 15th.
In his first race of the year, Richard Carapaz was 1:20 back on his team-mate, but will feel much more at home on Wednesday's Vallter 2000 summit finish.
The Australian's first victory for the team was also his first since taking the TT world title in Yorkshire in 2019. Success on roads local to his home, and with family and friends cheering him on, made it all the more special for Dennis.
One of the earlier starters down the ramp, Dennis set a benchmark five seconds up on rival Remi Cavagna (Deceuninck-Quick-Step), and was able to occupy the hot seat for the rest of the stage.
It was a strong day for the Grenadiers with no less than five riders in the top 15. Richie Porte and Adam Yates put themselves in strong GC positions with sixth and seventh fastest times respectively. Geraint Thomas was 10th, with Jonathan Castroviejo 15th.
In his first race of the year, Richard Carapaz was 1:20 back on his team-mate, but will feel much more at home on Wednesday's Vallter 2000 summit finish.
Reaction
- Rohan Dennis
"I’m relieved! It’s been a long time between drinks if I’m completely honest. It’s been a tough little road but it’s really great to be back on that top step. It’s amazing – the team have always supported and believed in the fact that I can be back on that top step. It’s just amazing to be back here.
- Rohan Dennis
"I’m relieved! It’s been a long time between drinks if I’m completely honest. It’s been a tough little road but it’s really great to be back on that top step. It’s amazing – the team have always supported and believed in the fact that I can be back on that top step. It’s just amazing to be back here.
"It means a lot. It’s my first victory with the INEOS Grenadiers and my first victory since Yorkshire Worlds. It’s been a pretty tough sort of year and a half of seconds, thirds or even being out of the top 10 sometimes. It’s something I’ve been trying to work on every day. It’s not getting any easier with all these young guys, so I’m making the most of this win at Volta a Catalunya. I train on these roads a lot and there are a lot of friends down here to cheer me on. It’s great to do it in front of them.
"For me I’m just the donkey if I’m honest with you. I’m the one that helps out, and it’s amazing that we’ve got the cards to play with the two Richies, G and Yatesy as well. It’s not going to get any easier from here – we’ve got Vallter 2000. Yesterday was the “flat” stage and you saw how that was with Movistar when they lit it up. It’s good that we’ve got options."
Tuesday also saw Settimana Coppi e Bartali get under way in Italy with a pair of stages. Ethan Hayter took fifth as the morning opener ended in a sprint. The team then set the fifth fastest time in the afternoon team time trial.
Stage two result:
1. Rohan Dennis (INEOS Grenadiers) 22:27
2. Remi Cavagna (Deceuninck-Quick-Step) +5"
3. Joao Almeida (Deceuninck-Quick-Step) +28"
4. Brandon McNulty (UAE-Team Emirates) +29"
5. Steven Kruijswijk (Jumbo-Visma) +33"
6. Richie Porte (INEOS Grenadiers) +35"
7. Adam Yates (INEOS Grenadiers) s.t.
10. Geraint Thomas (INEOS Grenadiers) +47"
1. Rohan Dennis (INEOS Grenadiers) 22:27
2. Remi Cavagna (Deceuninck-Quick-Step) +5"
3. Joao Almeida (Deceuninck-Quick-Step) +28"
4. Brandon McNulty (UAE-Team Emirates) +29"
5. Steven Kruijswijk (Jumbo-Visma) +33"
6. Richie Porte (INEOS Grenadiers) +35"
7. Adam Yates (INEOS Grenadiers) s.t.
10. Geraint Thomas (INEOS Grenadiers) +47"
