Movistar rider outnumbered four-to-one by Liquigas-Cannondale on the way to the finish of stage six
When the Liquigas-Cannondale attacked on the descent of the Alto del Catorce por Ciento on the way to the finish of the Vuelta a España’s sixth stage in Córdoba, the only rider that could go with it was Pablo Lastras (Movistar). The 35-year-old from Madrid faced a numerical disadvantage of four-to-one as the five-man group arrived at the stage finish, but still managed to take second place behind Peter Sagan.
Not only did the Slovakian champion deny Lastras his second stage victory of this year’s Vuelta, he also defeated him in a city that has been lucky for him in the past.
“I have a special romance with Córdoba,” Lastras explained. “I won my first stage of the Vuelta here; the 2008 Vuelta a Andalucía where I took overall also ended here and I it had clear in mind where I should move in the finale: getting over the top in front and taking risks on the descent.
I don't have much fear on the bike; I have a lot of respect instead, but nevertheless I was scared today. The Liquigas riders were descending really fast, but safe; I'm convinced they came here to recon the downhill. I knew I was at a disadvantage there, but at some point I had to take the turns because they left gaps and they could have got someone alone on front.”
Lastras’ presence in the group made the stage finish complicated for Liquigas-Cannondale, who would have wanted to give the stage victory – and the twenty-second time bonus – to defending champion Vincenzo Nibali. The fact that Lastras would have easily beaten the Sicilian climber meant that the stage had to be taken by Sagan, with Nibali missing out on the time bonuses altogether.
“I tried it until the end and it's not bad to come in second in this situation,” said Lastras. “Sagan is a rider touched by a magic wand, but I had to pay attention to all four because anyone could win. I tried to surprise them around the most difficult side, but I couldn't. It was a pity, because I had it in mind to win here and offer the flowers to Chente García Acosta.”
Garcia Acosta was one of a number of riders to crash on the previous day’s stage, and he was forced to abandon the race with broken bones in his arm and ribs. The good news for the team, which has suffered so much tragedy, and so many serious crashes this season, is that the Basque rider is to be moved to Pamplona for an operation on his broken radius and ulna.
“He is one of my role models in cycling and represented a serious loss for the team in this race," said Lastras.