Great performance today for Domenico Pozzovivo on the individual time-trial of the Vuelta a España in Tarazona. Indeed, the Italian rider of the AG2R LA MONDIALE team finished 3rd behind Fabian Cancellara and Tony Martin. Thanks to this result he gains a few places on the overall classification and he moves up to 6th.
After he crossed the line, Domenico Pozzovivo was both pleased to have met his goals and surprised by this 3rd rank: “I’m really happy with my performance. Today, my goal was to finish in the Top 15 on the stage but I never thought get the 3rd place! I have good feelings since the start of this Vuelta and I recovered well yesterday. When we checked out the course this morning, I noted immediately that it would suit me. I gave the best in the first rising part but I was a little bit surprised to get the fastest time at the top! Then, I did my best not to waste too much time in the descending part. I was in a good momentum and I kept energy until the finish line. I save time on my main competitors overall and that’s the most important.”
Julien Jurdie, sports director of the AG2R LA MONDIALE Team, said: “The course of this individual time-trial was very demanding with a 3rd category climb in the first part. Domenico (Pozzovivo) was in the right pace from the start and we immediately saw that he was in a great shape. He managed to limit the damage in the last part. We were optimistic at the start since we aimed at a Top 10 on this time-trial but the result is really beyond our expectations ! We also stand at good position at the overall standings. There are still 10 days of racing which will be long and difficult but today is a great day for the AG2R LA MONDIALE team and we have to enjoy !”