2013 Vuelta a Espana: Team Saxo-Tinkoff brings the fireworks on Stage 19

There was another explosive finale in store on today’s 181 kilometer long mountainous 19th stage of Vuelta a Espana starting in San Vicente Barquera and taking the peloton to the 5 kilometer long uphill finish, Alto Naranco in Oviedo with Saxo-Tinkoff fireworks.

A big breakaway stuck together until the entrance of the finale where the peloton and front group shattered and new constellations were created. In the peloton, Astana and FDJ finally took control of the pack while Team Saxo-Tinkoff were sitting on their wheel protecting Nicolas Roche.

At the foot of the climb, the escapees had a lead of 50 seconds to the field where Saxo-Tinkoff‘s Chris Anker Sørensen suddenly moved to the front, picked up the pace and slimmed down the field to 20 riders. Halfway up and on the steepest part of the slope teammate, Rafal Majka took over and increased the pressure once again and he swept up the final escapee before he finally let go.

Then team leader, Nicolas Roche attacked twice and split the group of favourites but it was Joaquin Rodriguez (Katusha) who created the crucial gap and took the stage win. Nicolas Roche finished 10th after an explosive and admirable effort:

”I can’t be anything but proud about today’s team performance. The boys deliver a fantastic finale starring Chris, Rafal and Nico as a rocket launching. Too bad we didn’t get another stage win but we certainly proves that we’re not the ones playing our cards defensively holding on to overall fifth but keep seeking opportunities to improve the position. Now, there’s only one real stage left to go and we’ll decide the tactics at the meeting later tonight,” said a happy DS, Fabrizio Guidi.