Analysis of stage 11 performance: Geraint Thomas and Ineos Grenadiers' strategies at Vuelta a España

Posted : 07 September 2023

Geraint Thomas came close to securing a back-to-back victory for Ineos Grenadiers at the Vuelta a España, but his spirited effort in the breakaway ultimately fell short as Jesus Herrada claimed the Stage 11 win. Herrada's acceleration on the final climb made him the first Spaniard to secure a stage win in this year's Vuelta and earned him the polka dot jersey.

Initially, Thomas appeared to pose a threat to secure Ineos another win, riding alongside Stage 10 victor Fillipo Ganna in the 26-man breakaway. Ganna played a significant role in reducing the breakaway group, leaving only a few riders, including Thomas, behind Ecuadorian Jonathan Caicedo. However, as Herrada surged ahead, Thomas couldn't maintain the pace and finished fifth.

On Eurosport's "The Breakaway," Adam Blythe and Dan Lloyd questioned whether Ineos could have employed a different strategy to secure the stage win. Lloyd suggested that Ineos might have used Ganna's strength more effectively, potentially sending him ahead on the climb to force others to chase, allowing Thomas to conserve energy. He believed that splitting their efforts might have provided a better chance of victory.

Lloyd acknowledged that Ineos deserved credit for getting into the break, especially considering their struggles in previous stages. He praised Ganna's win for boosting the team's morale and noted the difficulty of shifting their mindset from a podium-focused strategy to pursuing a breakaway victory.

Adam Blythe concurred, saying that Ineos made efforts they believed were right to secure the win but may have overestimated Thomas' form while underestimating Ganna's capabilities. Despite Thomas' determined effort, he ran out of energy towards the end of the stage.

Thomas himself acknowledged that he didn't feel great during the stage and expressed disappointment in not being able to finish it off. He praised Ganna for his remarkable strength and likened his performance to Wout van Aert's breakaway efforts in the Tour de France, though he acknowledged the climb might have been too steep for Ganna.

In conclusion, the Stage 11 at the Vuelta a España showcased a spirited performance by Geraint Thomas and Ineos Grenadiers but ultimately fell short of securing another stage win. The team's strategy and Ganna's strength were discussed as key factors in their performance.

Analysis of stage 11 performance: Geraint Thomas and Ineos Grenadiers' strategies at Vuelta a España

ADD A COMMENT :

Hot Topics