Debutant turns around final with an entertaining “cat and mouse” game

The prize for combativeness looked alright for Bert-Jan Lindeman but the presence of a Spaniard in the first group came at a cost. The Drenthe debutant from Vacansoleil-DCM stuck in the opening kilometres of the seventh stage of the Vuelta. In the final, he was present again alongside the leaders battle pendulum body of cyclists. He caused desperation in the other fugitives but his attack could not prevent a third sprint.



Lindemans tells his story: “First we drove to a group of six. There was enough interest. That’s why I started to head off myself, so I would definitely take them. You know it is probably a bunch sprint but you try to make something beautiful out of it. Eventually there were only four, that is too little, and then we had less than five minutes. Well, then it becomes very difficult.”



That did not stop the 23 year old of the team speculating on the finale. “Those two Spaniards didn't ride hard enough. Perhaps they could not do better. We continued to attack but that was mainly for the fight. I had no illusions to stay ahead. Just…. A little show. We do not have the team to win prizes today,” said the number three in the Championship of the Netherlands.

Lindeman feels happy in Spain in his first major round. “It suits me fine and I am doing well. I still feel fresh but I am taking it a day at a time. First, let’s see how good today's efforts are. We have just seven days now. I’m most bothered by the heat. I have always had a hard time.”



In the Iberian peninsula Lindeman hopes to discover what his options are in great rounds. “I think I am more of a classic rider. I like to ride stages with more kilometres, where the endurance is important. I think that is best: the variety is more challenging.”

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