Quick Step climber pleased with Salamanca performance despite losing more than five minutes
Kevin Seeldraeyers (Quick Step) finished 79th in the stage ten time trial of the Vuelta a España in Salamanca on Monday, losing 5’38” to stage winner Tony Martin (HTC-Highroad) in the process. Although the Belgian’s time means that he slips from eighth place in the overall classification to 21st, he is very pleased with his own performance in a discipline where he rarely shines.
"This was definitely one of my best time trials ever, considering the distance and the circuit suited to specialists with a lot of power,” said the 24-year-old after the stage. “Also, the wind in the first part really bothered me. I’m in the position I expected to be in after the time trial and my time is in line with the other climbers.”
Before the stage Seeldraeyers was just 42 seconds behind the then leader Bauke Mollema (Rabobank), having finished well in both mountain stages, to Sierra Nevada and La Covatilla. After losing so much in the time trial he now finds himself 4’18” behind new leader Chris Froome (Team Sky).
His performance on the flat, exposed roads to the south of Salamanca compares favourably with other, similar stages he has ridden this season. In the Giro d’Italia he lost 4’13” to David Millar (Garmin-Cervélo) over 32.5km, while he conceded 5’46” to Martin in the 42.5km test in the Critérium du Dauphiné.
While he will need to improve against the clock if he wants to challenge for the podium in the major stage races, Seeldraeyers will be happy when the race hits the mountains again this week.
“As of Wednesday we’ll be back to my favourite terrain,” he explained. “The climbs.
“The Vuelta is still wide open," he added.