Clément Champoussin: «No regrets»
«It's a good stage. I put in a lot of effort at the start of the race to break away. When we got away, I felt that I had already used up some of my energy. I managed to recover a little, but on the final climb I was just a bit short.
I tried to anticipate a kilometre before the finish line. I hoped they would look at each other, but they reacted quickly. I have no regrets; they were better than me.
I feel like I'm in good shape. I've been riding around since the start of this Vuelta with several breakaways. There are still some great opportunities ahead. [/su_quote] [su_quote cite=Bob Jungels]
Bob Jungels: «Beaten by stronger opponents»
«This is the first time I've been in a breakaway in this Vuelta. I felt good, but I didn't have the legs to keep up with the best on the final climb.
When the start of the stage is flat, it's difficult to know how you'll feel at the end. Clément (Champoussin) was better than me, but we were beaten by stronger riders.
It's a bit frustrating when you spend the whole day at the front and don't get the win in the end, but that's sport. In any case, I'm happy to be back in good form.»[/su_quote]
The number: 8
After seventeen stages of the Vuelta a España, Ben O'Connor is eighth in the overall standings.
News: AG2R CITROËN team wins team classification
The AG2R CITROËN team wins the team classification of the seventeenth stage of the Vuelta a Espana.
«It's been a satisfying day for the AG2R CITROËN team, even though the goal was to win. There are no regrets. Bob (Jungels) anticipated before the climb and Clément (Champoussin) did the same at the red flag; it could have worked. We came up against a stronger team.
Ben (O'Connor) had a strong finish. He lost a few seconds to the main leaders but gained time on Thymen Arensman, which is interesting.
Today was the first of four battles to be fought between now and Saturday, and it was quite successful. I hope the lads will show the same intensity over the next few days to achieve our goals,» said Julien Jurdie, sporting director of the AG2R CITROËN team.
