Pidcock fights to fourth on Pico Villuercas

28 Aug 2021

Pidcock fights to fourth on Pico Villuercas

Vuelta a Espana stage 14: Don Benito › Pico Villuercas, 165.7km.

Tom Pidcock put in a battling performance in the break to finish fourth, as the general classification contenders kept their powder dry on stage 14 of the Vuelta a Espana 

Pidcock sealed his best Grand Tour result to date after fighting to the line on the final climb to finish in a chase group behind stage winner Romain Bardet (Team DSM)

Behind, there were small splits in the GC group on the final climb to as Miguel Angel Lopez (Movistar) attacked to gain a small advantage on his rivals, with Egan Bernal finishing four seconds back and Adam Yates (+16”) close behind.

Earlier, the battle to get into the early break was hotly contested as Pidcock fought to make the 18 rider group which quickly amassed a large lead. 

With an unassailable advantage over the bunch established, the attacks from within the group began in earnest on the Alto Collado de Ballesteros, which saw Pidcock distanced, but the 22 year old paced his way back to the group shortly afterwards.

There were several other attempts to go clear, but only Nicolas Prodhomme (AG2R-Citroën Team) had any success, leading the break onto the final ascent with Pidcock's smaller chase group a minute behind. 

With little co-operation amongst the eight chasers, the Grenadier attacked the group with seven kilometres remaining, but was reeled back in. Several other efforts followed, with only Bardet able to make his move stick, meaning he took the stage victory as Pidcock fought to the finish to secure fourth. 

Unfortunately, during the stage, Richard Carapaz had to withdraw from the race.
Egan Bernal

"I felt a little better. It was a strange climb, it was hard but at the same time it helped a lot to follow wheels. I'm happy because I was able to get there with the other GC contenders, so far it's my best day. I think it has been quite tough.

"You have to be calm and calculate the effort, because there was also a lot of wind and where does one go when there are five Jumbo pulling. You just have to be realistic, when you are not there, you are not there. But today I felt relatively good. Tomorrow will be another type of stage and the last stages are also tough, so we will have to wait.”
Stage 14 result

1. Romain Bardet (Team DSM) 4:20:36
2. Jesus Herrada (Cofidis), +44''
3. Jay Vine (Alpecin-Fenix), s.t.
4. Tom Pidcock (INEOS Grenadiers), +1'12''
5. Clément Champoussin (AG2R-Citroën Team), +1'14''

Overall standings 

1. Odd Christian Eiking (Intermarche-Wanty) 50:31:52
2. Guillaume Martin (Cofidis) +54"
3. Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma) +1:36"
4. Enric Mas (Movistar) +2:11"
5. Miguel Angel Lopez (Movistar) +3:04"
7. Egan Bernal (INEOS Grenadiers) +4:21''
8. Adam Yates (INEOS Grenadiers) +4:49"