ProTeam Plenty of positives to take from Stage 8 in Zaragoza

The stage was widely expected to end in a fast and chaotic finale, and the team worked tirelessly throughout the day to position Elia Viviani for the ultimate sprint in Zaragoza. In the closing kilometers, Viviani was brought into perfect position, launching his sprint with determination. He was only just edged out by Jasper Philipsen.

Unfortunately, Elia was relegated to 105th because of an irregular sprint. Speaking after the stage, Viviani reflects on the result with mixed emotions: “It is painful of course. If you look back at this sprint afterwards, you can see it. But when I see the finish line coming closer and closer, I just go. I heard Jasper (Philipsen) call so I didn’t want to take any risks”, he looks back.

“When someone like Jasper Philipsen is around, you know that it is going to get hard. I have been very happy to be here, but at the same time I have also been struggling a bit. When I get really close to a big goal like this, it means that I am still a serious athlete here at 36 years old, battling against the best sprinters of the world. So that makes me happy of course. But on the other hand it is disappointing as well. Especially seen the work the whole team delivered. As you could see, the team did an amazing job for me. "

While the near miss left Viviani and the team hungry for more, his result showcased both his form and the strength of the squad supporting him. With several opportunities for the fast men still ahead in the race, morale remains high. "Hopefully in the last week we can still sprint and hopefully I will get it right then. We have to be positive and look at what the whole team has done because I simply can’t ask for more. It’s still a good morale boost for all of us. We have once again shown that we are out there.”

Photo: PhotoNews