The second rest of the Vuelta concludes in Oviedo: city of cider and Samuel Sanchez, Beijing Olympic championAbove, you can see the profile of the Naranco, the finish line of a classic that has been out of use since 2010 and which attracted the world's best riders. In the Vuelta hotels we think a lot about the time regained and then lost by Roglic due to penalties. Yet, even though O'Connor says he will sell his skin dearly, the feeling that the Slovenian will soon take back what is his he makes his way through the group.
Spain debates on the skinny legs of third-placed Enric Mas and on the double exploit of Pablo Castrillo, winner first in Manzaneda and then yesterday on Cuitu Negru, who spoke to very curious journalists this afternoon. What seems certain, referring to the near future, is that the Equipo Kern Pharma rider will try again. It couldn't be otherwise, given that at the Vuelta Mikel Nieve leads the team from the team car: someone who often left his mark on the climbsLooking further ahead, it now seems obvious that Castrillo will wear a different jersey next year. The strong interest of Ineos Grenadiers, which Marca newspaper had already begun reporting on during the Giro d'Italia, has been joined by that of three other WorldTour teams. The rider has made it known that he will make the final decision after the Vuelta.
"I have to thank Mikel Nieve," he says, "for the way he guided me to the foot of the climb. I decided to try from below because Sivakov had been pushing so hard. When Vlasov he took me back, I got nervousIt scared me a lot because I knew he was a tough opponent, but I didn't know how strong he was. So I decided to try again to see what would happen. And in the end, victory slipped away. It was an incredible day.».
The first victory could have been a feat, but the second one?
I've heard many adjectives. I was already satisfied with Manzaneda's victory, so everything that followed would have been a gift. But yesterday's victory for me was much more than a giftWinning against the general classification men and on such a huge climb was truly incredible. Some said I reminded them of Valverde, but I don't know who I'll become. I know I was very calm and cool-headed.I found myself feeling more relaxed, especially after the victory the other day. I managed to get the victory without getting nervous like I did in Manzaneda.
How come you're only coming out this year, while you struggled so much in 2023?
I paid the price for moving up a category, but I learned from my past mistakes and now I'm capable of winning. I became passionate about cycling thanks to my mother and my brother Jaime, who is also very strong. (runs in a Portuguese continental, the Sabgal-Anicolor, ed.). He has an incredible engine, he's a talent. I used to go to see him at the races and, even if As a child I played other sports such as hockey which is very popular in Jaca, seeing him on his bike made me passionate about cycling.
When you won in Manzaneda, you were moved and dedicated the victory to Azcona, practically the founder of your team, who passed away that very morning.
It was all crazy, I say this from the bottom of my heart. Especially for the emotion with which people are experiencing these results of mineThose who stop me or write to me say they feel immense joy, as if the victory were theirs. And this is very special to me. Receiving so much love is a pleasure, it gives you emotionMy mother told me she cried in front of the TV after my first win and did it again yesterday. I don't know if I'll be able to win again; many people are telling me to try again at Lagos de Covadonga (tomorrow's stage, ed.). I don't know if a hat-trick will come, but I'm very satisfied with this.
If nothing else, you'll be able to run with a free mind...
Exact, now I have nothing to lose. I'll try to spot other breakaways to try to win again. But I'm not thinking about that now. Rest is used to catch your breath and enjoy what you have achieved.And I'm very tired and I have two victories to celebrate.
