Red numbers are again beyond Vacansoleil-DCM

Martijn Keizer once again rode in the spotlight in the Vueleta a Espana. In the eighteenth stage to Valladolid the Groningen man reacted at the beginning when Spanish guy Luis Angel Maté sprinted out of the group.
It took a few moments before the escape started but eventually the flight was well into the final. It was nice to watch Keizer race on TV but that was all.

Gatis Smukulis from Letland, was with Maté and Keizer in the flight. “For the first ten kilometres he was very busy with his communication, then he had to go back to the peloton. He was very angry. Maté and I also would have quit because to race with 2 makes no sense but later Smukulis joined us with two other riders and we raced with five. Eventually the guy from Letland was the fastest but the peloton played with us. The gap remained constant at around four minutes, then you know it is a foregone conclusion. Actually, you are riding for only the red numbers.”

The red numbers are for the most competative riders of the day. Tomorrow they are on Smukulis's back. “I will not say that I deserved it, but he certainly did not,” says Keizer. “He blamed us that we attacked and he said the numbers were something to be ashamed of. Now he will wear it tomorrow, “laughs the 24 year old trialist. Keizer caused sensation by choosing to repeatedly breakaway. Today in the Vuelta was the second day he rode ahead. “A day in the breakaway is always beautiful. I have a good feeling of satisfaction, even if I get the red numbers. More important is that I feel well in the last week of a large round. Many riders have suffered, it seemed today. I was surprised that the pelaton was beaten, we were caught up.””

Previous page>