"Chris Froome said I could join Vuelta a España attack," says Sky's Nicolas Roche
Irishman reveals that a crucial mistake in the final 500m cost him a possible stage win
Chris Froome gave Sky team-mate Nicolas Roche the green light to go for the first summit finish of the Vuelta a España today to Caminito del Rey, safe in the knowledge that would hold his ground with his general classification rivals.
Roche previewed the 4.7-kilometre climb in Spain's south in training, knew every corner and rise, and picked his moment to attack his rivals Esteban Chaves (Orica-GreenEDGE) and Tom Dumoulin (Giant-Alpecin).
His chances of winning the stage, however, were compromised by a mistake.
"I forgot one of the switchbacks. There was a small bit, a drag up, with 500 or 300 to go, then I thought it would flatten out again. It didn't though — it went hard again, and so that was it for me," Roche explained after the finish.
He placed third. Colombian Chaves countered his attack at 500 metres out and held off Dumoulin for the stage win and red leader's jersey.
"When I went, I thought I was going to go there and give it my all. I thought I could do what I did two years ago [to win the stage]. I thought, 'Yeah, cool, I'm in again!'
"In the back of my mind, I thought, I'd give it all and get a gap to hold it. Chaves was very quick to react, and then went straight away and that left me there. When he went, that was it. My card was played."
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Nairo Quintana (Movistar), second place at the Tour de France behind Froome, placed 36 seconds back. Froome crossed the line at 40 seconds. Nibali, who chased back after a crash, finished at 1-38 minutes and was later disqualified for holding onto a team car.
The next three stages through the south of Spain are flat. The overall favourites must now hold fire until Thursday, when the sixth stage finishes on a small uphill to Sierra de Cazorla.
"With four kilometres to go, Chris told me, 'Nico, follow the attacks if you want,'" said Roche.
"The big guys can afford to give me or whoever 30 or 40 seconds at this stage in the race. It's an extremely hard Vuelta."
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Gregor Brown is an experienced cycling journalist, based in Florence, Italy. He has covered races all over the world for over a decade - following the Giro, Tour de France, and every major race since 2006. His love of cycling began with freestyle and BMX, before the 1998 Tour de France led him to a deep appreciation of the road racing season.
-
Among market turmoil, Colnago boasts €55 million in sales: CEO shares the brand’s secret
Colnago’s growth has tripled since the brand’s acquisition by new majority stakeholders in 2020 and seems impervious to the downturn. Here's why.
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
Why e-bike torque numbers matter more than you think
You should choose an e-bike based on torque, not just power
By Paul Norman Published
-
'It was time to change': No regrets for Rod Ellingworth after leaving Ineos Grenadiers
New Tour of Britain race director says he is still on good terms with Dave Brailsford after resigning from team last year
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'I’m just here to enjoy it': Tom Pidcock on his surprise Paris-Roubaix appearance
British rider was a late addition to the Ineos Grenadiers team for the race across the pavé
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'It's not normal that riders should risk their life' - Ex-pro cyclist calls for action on crashes
Nicolas Roche spoke of his crash at the 2019 Vuelta a España, which he "never really recovered from" after Itzulia crash
By Adam Becket Published
-
The art of peaking with Geraint Thomas: 'It’s easy to take for granted that 9 times out of 10 I hit my goals'
The Welshman also calls for better governance in the sport to help it grow further
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers’ 500th victory was claimed by a woman; why do they still not have a team?
The British squad is one of the richest in cycling - but Ineos still won’t stump up for a women’s team
By Adam Becket Published
-
'This is so much more than a number': Six of the best Ineos Grenadiers wins as team claims 500th race victory
Pauline Ferrand-Prévot took the 500th team win at the weekend
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Tom Pidcock 'wouldn’t be surprised' to see attacks before the Poggio at Milan-San Remo
British rider will lead the line for Ineos Grenadiers alongside Filippo Ganna
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers delighted with Egan Bernal’s late cameo on stage one of Paris-Nice
Colombian snapped up key bonus seconds in the general classification battle on run in to Les Mureaux
By Tom Thewlis Published