Bert-Jan Lindeman wins first mountain stage Vuelta
Bert-Jan Lindeman of Team LottoNL-Jumbo delivered a hard-fought victory in the first major mountain stage in the 2015 Vuelta a España. The Dutchman attacked early in the 191km stage with four other riders, and out-dueled his rivals during long, hot 18km summit finale. Johan Esteban Chaves of Orica-Green Edge continues to lead the overall standings.
Lindeman attacked early in Friday’s stage into Spain’s Sierra Nevada for the third time in this Vuelta, and the third time was a charm for the rider from Emmen.
“Our goal for this Vuelta was to make an aggressive race with this young team,” said sports director Marijn Zeeman. "Today we had thought to move into the attack with Bennett, but Bert-Jan said directly that he wanted to attack, too. In the first escape of the day, Bennett and Bert-Jan where in the break but Movistar closed the gap. Moments later, Bert-Jan managed to jump into the right break-away with four other riders.”
Difficult stage
The seventh stage of the Vuelta had a difficult profile and a nearly 19-kilometer final climb. The mercury showed 37 degrees in what made the 191-kilometer long stage even more grueling.
"It was very hot today. I knew we had to take good care of Bert-Jan. Each climb he got a new fresh bottle with cool water, “Zeeman continued. "In this heat, it is important that, in addition to drink and eat, to cool properly. The gap of the five was not a done deal. Therefore it was exciting. On the last climb, which we know from the altitude training that we do here often, Bert-Jan played it smart and he didn’t show his cards. He is the deserved winner. I said to him this is a historic day for you. It’s beautiful that it works out. This is quite nice for the staff to be part of that."
Bert-Jan Lindeman
On the final climb, the game of cat-and-mouse began. The five leaders were not able to play too much because Movistar and Astana were setting a high pace. Lindeman was dropped but fought his way back to the head of the race.
"I played the game. That’s also cycling, and not only to be the strongest," Lindeman said. "I got all the support from the team. I felt I had a really good day and started to believe in my chances. Normally, Amets Txurruka (CJR) is the strongest uphill, so I was a little scared. But at some point he and I were dropped. I saw that he was really empty and then I closed the gap alone to Jérôme Cousin (EUC) and Ilia Koshevoy (LAM). Only at the very end did we know that the peloton would not come back and that we could win. Cousin crashed in the last kilometre, and Koshevoy then went full gas. I felt that I had power left, and in the last 200 meters, I could easily pass him.”
Long road back
Lindeman is known as a fighter and grabbed his fourth win as a professional. "I've come a long way. I was not a professional anymore in 2014, but luckily I got a new opportunity at LottoNL-Jumbo. And today I win this tough mountain stage. I've been working hard for this result. I was ten days in Davos for a training camp with Martijn Keizer. That paid off now. I am grateful for the confidence this team has in me and now we will enjoy this victory together.”
Lindeman attacked early in Friday’s stage into Spain’s Sierra Nevada for the third time in this Vuelta, and the third time was a charm for the rider from Emmen.
“Our goal for this Vuelta was to make an aggressive race with this young team,” said sports director Marijn Zeeman. "Today we had thought to move into the attack with Bennett, but Bert-Jan said directly that he wanted to attack, too. In the first escape of the day, Bennett and Bert-Jan where in the break but Movistar closed the gap. Moments later, Bert-Jan managed to jump into the right break-away with four other riders.”
Difficult stage
The seventh stage of the Vuelta had a difficult profile and a nearly 19-kilometer final climb. The mercury showed 37 degrees in what made the 191-kilometer long stage even more grueling.
"It was very hot today. I knew we had to take good care of Bert-Jan. Each climb he got a new fresh bottle with cool water, “Zeeman continued. "In this heat, it is important that, in addition to drink and eat, to cool properly. The gap of the five was not a done deal. Therefore it was exciting. On the last climb, which we know from the altitude training that we do here often, Bert-Jan played it smart and he didn’t show his cards. He is the deserved winner. I said to him this is a historic day for you. It’s beautiful that it works out. This is quite nice for the staff to be part of that."
Bert-Jan Lindeman
On the final climb, the game of cat-and-mouse began. The five leaders were not able to play too much because Movistar and Astana were setting a high pace. Lindeman was dropped but fought his way back to the head of the race.
"I played the game. That’s also cycling, and not only to be the strongest," Lindeman said. "I got all the support from the team. I felt I had a really good day and started to believe in my chances. Normally, Amets Txurruka (CJR) is the strongest uphill, so I was a little scared. But at some point he and I were dropped. I saw that he was really empty and then I closed the gap alone to Jérôme Cousin (EUC) and Ilia Koshevoy (LAM). Only at the very end did we know that the peloton would not come back and that we could win. Cousin crashed in the last kilometre, and Koshevoy then went full gas. I felt that I had power left, and in the last 200 meters, I could easily pass him.”
Long road back
Lindeman is known as a fighter and grabbed his fourth win as a professional. "I've come a long way. I was not a professional anymore in 2014, but luckily I got a new opportunity at LottoNL-Jumbo. And today I win this tough mountain stage. I've been working hard for this result. I was ten days in Davos for a training camp with Martijn Keizer. That paid off now. I am grateful for the confidence this team has in me and now we will enjoy this victory together.”
