1-2 for Soudal Quick-Step U19 on the opening stage of the Spanish race.
Simon Defrance hit the ground running on the first day of the Vuelta al Besaya, powering to a spectacular win and the leader’s jersey in Bostronizo. Victorious this season in Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne, Nokere Koerse and STER Van Zuid Limburg, Defrance was present at the start of a stage race for the first time in five weeks and didn’t lose time when it came to making his mark on the Spanish event.
Our rider attacked after 30 kilometers and immediately opened a substantial gap on the peloton that was fragmenting. With each kilometer of this hilly parcours that he ticked off, the 18-year-old’s chances of making it increased; Simon claimed both the intermediate sprint and the stage’s only classified climb, before entering the closing ten kilometers with two minutes seconds in hand. By the time he tackled the demanding climb to the finish, the versatile Frenchman still had plenty left on the chasers - who were in just three at that moment - giving him plenty of time to celebrate his fourth win of the year.
From the small group that fought for the remaining two places on the podium, teammate Vic De Smet took second, making sure that Soudal Quick-Step would lead the team standings after this stage. In the end, three of our riders ended up in the top ten, after Maksymilian Matyasik - runner-up here last year - came home seventh.
Today’s race was a great opportunity for me to get to the front and hopefully reach the final climb with a good lead.
“So I attacked, but I didn’t think I’d be going alone, which in the end happened. However, the gap was already there, so I kept going and maintained a high pace to reach the bottom of the climb with a good lead, which allowed me to climb at my own pace. I’m incredibly happy with this win, it’s the best one so far of my young career. We’ll see what I can do in the next stages, but for the time being, I want to enjoy this moment”, an elated Simon said.
Photo credit: ©Ciclismo Gonzales
