Our team was again present in the breakaway on the challenging last day of the race.
Txirimiri, the persistent rain so typical to Euskadi, accompanied the riders from the opening kilometers of the final stage, which travelled from Goisper-Antzuola to Bergara, a small town located in the Gipuzkoa province, where the peloton arrived for the first time this century.
Soudal Quick-Step’s Steff Cras was among those to attack and brave the weather and the low temperatures to go in the breakaway, the largest of the week, numbering more than 30 riders. The experienced Belgian, racing Itzulia Basque Country for the fifth consecutive year, put in a really strong effort in the breakaway, and even after losing contact with some of the riders who attacked to form a small leading group, he continued to tap out a good rhythm, joining the yellow jersey reduced bunch and staying there until inside 20 kilometers to go.
The 30-year-old was the team’s first rider home at the end of this brutal stage won by Andrew August (Ineos Grenadiers), and also the best-placed Soudal Quick-Step rider on the general classification of this 65th edition of the prestigious World Tour race.
Photo credit: ©Tim De Waele / Getty Images
