Adam Yates and Egan Bernal share their thoughts as Primož Roglič leads Vuelta a España on first rest day
How are the Ineos Grenadiers leaders faring with two weeks left to race?
Adam Yates and Egan Bernal have shared their thoughts on the Vuelta a España 2021 during the first rest day, as Primož Roglič maintains a firm grip on the race after the first week.
Monday (August 23) marked the first day off for the peloton in this year’s Spanish Grand Tour, giving teams the chance to analyse their performance from the first nine days of racing.
With two weeks still to ride in the Vuelta, Jumbo-Visma leader Roglič leads the race by 28 seconds to Enric Mas of Movistar, while Ineos Grenadiers leaders Yates and Bernal both sit around two minutes down in the general classification.
Speaking during a video press conference on the first rest day Yates, who is racing his first Grand Tour in Ineos colours, said: “I've been pretty consistent throughout the whole race
“On all the real mountain stages I've been up there. I feel like I'm being quite consistent. It's about trying to keep that consistency for the whole three weeks. It's been a hard nine stages, not just for us but for everyone. Hopefully we can try and do something in the last two weeks.”
>>> Mathieu van der Poel forced to pull out of mountain bike World Championships
Yates put in his signature style of attacks on stage nine to Alto de Velefique, just before the first rest day, but he was comfortably matched by double Vuelta winner Roglič, who eventually went on the attack and gained more time.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
British hopeful Yates said: “It was a really tough stage.
“We had a plan, we pushed the pace, we tried to wear down the group, try and get rid of some of Jumbo's riders, but they stepped it up as a team.
"It didn't work out as we planned. On the very last climb I tried to be aggressive early, and Egan was going to sit in the wheels and stay with the best guys. We did the best we could and it's not easy. It's been a hard nine stages, every day has been stressful, every day has been a fight. We need to keep plugging away and doing our best.”
On Roglič’s form, Yates added: “He looked pretty solid. We saw yesterday he was probably the strongest guy there.
“In the final he got away with Mas, so I don't think he's going too bad to be honest.”
The winner of the 2021 Vuelta won’t be decided until the final day however, after the finish of the 33km time trial, a discipline that Roglič thrives in having just won the Olympic TT last month.
On how much time Roglič’s rivals would need over the Slovenian heading into the final TT, Yates said: “A lot [of time], but that's not just us, that's everybody in the top 10, they need at least two minutes. He's the Olympic champion. Everyone needs some time. We're not going to be the only ones that try and isolate him (you'd hope anyway).”
Yates currently sits sixth overall with 12 stages still to race, 2-07 down to Roglič, having lost time after being caught behind a crash on stage two and having struggled in the heat on the punchy uphill finish on stage six.
Bernal, winner of the 2021 Giro d’Italia, sits just one place ahead of his team-mate Yates on general classification, 1-52 off the race lead.
Speaking on the rest day, the Colombian star said: “I feel confident because I know that I'm not too far to back, I can do my own pace.
“If I race intelligently and do what I need to do maybe I can race a good GC, even if I'm not 100 per cent.”
Bernal has admitted that he’s not in his best form, having already won a Grand Tour this year and after catching coronavirus shortly after his victory in Italy.
>>> Vuelta a España 2021 route: Nine summit finishes and no Madrid finale in this year's edition
He said his climbing form is still good, but added that he’s missing some of the acceleration needed to stick with a strong all-rounder like Roglič: “The Giro was my big objective for this year. I wanted to prepare well for the Vuelta but I caught Covid.
“It's normal to be missing something, but it's not too bad. I'm up there but I need to keep trying and hopefully I will move one step up.”
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
Alex Ballinger is editor of BikeBiz magazine, the leading publication for the UK cycle industry, and is the former digital news editor for CyclingWeekly.com. After gaining experience in local newsrooms, national newspapers and in digital journalism, Alex found his calling in cycling, first as a reporter, then as news editor responsible for Cycling Weekly's online news output, and now as the editor of BikeBiz. Since pro cycling first captured his heart during the 2010 Tour de France (specifically the Contador-Schleck battle) Alex covered three Tours de France, multiple editions of the Tour of Britain, and the World Championships, while both writing and video presenting for Cycling Weekly. He also specialises in fitness writing, often throwing himself into the deep end to help readers improve their own power numbers. Away from the desk, Alex can be found racing time trials, riding BMX and mountain bikes, or exploring off-road on his gravel bike. He’s also an avid gamer, and can usually be found buried in an eclectic selection of books.
-
HUNT 60 Limitless UD Carbon Spoke Aero Disc Wheelset
An impressive all-rounder that's well-suited to wider tyres and a range of riding styles
By Andy Turner Published
-
Zwift introduces Racing Score to make platform 'more competitive, fairer and accessible'
Zwift says new ranking system will reflect both fitness level and racing skill
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Simon Yates says he took a pay cut in order to join Visma-Lease a Bike
32-year-old says it was now or never as he gets set to leave Jayco AIUla after eleven years
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
A UAE Emirates Tour de France podium clean sweep is a real possibility
Adam Yates, Tadej Pogačar and João Almeida are all hitting form at the perfect time with the Florence Grand Départ fast approaching
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
João Almeida springs to Tour de Suisse stage six win as UAE Team Emirates dominate
On shortened day, Almeida wins as his teammate Adam Yates extends lead on other squads
By Adam Becket Published
-
Adam Yates wins Tour de Suisse stage five with virtuoso mountains performance
The Briton attacks to win solo, with team-mate Joāo Almeida coming in second
By James Shrubsall Published
-
Egan Bernal's best result since crash opens door to Tour de France selection: 'We need him competitive for us in the biggest races'
The Colombian revealed that some of his power numbers are better than before his crash in January 2022
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
'We were lucky with the weather': Brandon McNulty admits rain helped UAE Emirates edge Paris-Nice stage three team time trial
American pulled on the yellow jersey after a rain soaked finale to stage three in Auxerre
By Tom Thewlis Published
-