Vuelta (Stage 20), Simon Guglielmi 13th at the Puerto de Navacerrada
Offensive spirit, that was the motto of the Arkea-samsic team in this Vuelta Ciclista a España with Simon Guglielmi who was at the front for most of the race today.
Photo Gettyimages
On the line
“It was the last stage of this Vuelta Ciclista a España where I still had a chance to express myself. I tried to go straight to the front. A few riders escaped and then a group of strong riders came back on us. At one point, I went out alone because it was slowing down a little bit, I was caught again. But I hold on, switch to the red jersey group. On the ascent of the Puerto de Navacerada, I gave it my all, I gritted my teeth. Sébastien Hinault encouraged me and pushed me to the end. I finished with cramps, I was close to giving up but I didn’t give up. We arrive for the 12th place, I am in the wheel of Valverde. It’s nice for his last Vuelta. 13th in a stage with 4000 meters of climb, I would have signed with both hands. We have a good chance tomorrow with Dan in Madrid and a massive sprint to conclude this Vuelta Ciclista a España”.
The debrief
“At the briefing Simon and Elijah were chosen to be in the breakaway, knowing that it had a chance to go all the way. In the last week of a Grand Tour, and even more so in the penultimate stage, many teams try to save the objectives they set at the start, and this was the case today, which condemned the breakaway and Simon a little. Without that he could, I think, have hoped for better. We are in the third week of the Vuelta and he was still in front with some very strong riders. There was a good level in the breakaway, but Simon hung on to the red jersey group at first and then to a counter group. He finished in 13th position in the wheel of Valverde”.