Alexandre Geniez won the queen stage of the Vuelta a Espana

Alexandre Geniez won the queen stage of the Vuelta a Espana, riding solo to the mountaintop finish at Peyragudes in France. He was part of a large group which got away early in the stage, dropping all of his companions along the way.

A few minutes before the start, the wise Alexandre Geniez asked his Sport Director, “Thierry, if there is a group of riders going ahead, should I stay with Thibaut (Pinot) or can I go? It could also be useful to help Thibaut in the last climb…”

With the green light from his Sport Director, there was no doubt that Alexander would be in the breakaway. That would start from the first climb, the Puerto del Canto, where he was part of a 28 riders. He started attacking more in the Col de La Bonaigua, taking the wheel of Barguil and taking with him Chérel, De Greef, Cardoso and Edet.

In the Port de Balès, he went ahead with Cardoso who would be dropped in the downhill, on the way to Luchon and would finish the last climb, Col de Peyresourde, alone. After 200Km in the lead, he won the stage by over 3 minutes ahead of Michele Scarponi who had grateful words, “After more or less 200Kms in the breakaway, he had really good legs. Congrats."

“My first Pro victory was in 2011 on the Tour of Austria and it happened more or less the same way as today. But winning the queen stage of the Vuelta is absolutely awesome for me. I would love winning more but for us, climbers, we have fewer opportunities as the sprinters. Anyway, it will stay forever in my mind.”

Photos: TDWSport.com