Carlos Verona: "I was in an incredible level of agony, and I enjoyed it very much"

Movistar Team's Carlos Verona road to a first professional win today at the Critérium du Dauphiné, after several years at high level where he mostly played a supporting role for his leaders.

It's incredible. I've been a professional for 12 years, I think I've always been at a good level and improving, but I've always lacked victory, I've never been a winner... and today when I was in the breakaway I said: 'It has to be today'," Verona said in a post-race interview. The Spaniard got in the large breakaway early in the day together with teammate Gregor Mühlberger, and began to ride clear in the Col de la Croix de Fer as the group split apart near the summit.

"I have to say a big thank you to Gregor Mühlberger for the super job he has done for me in the breakaway. We have known how to move well within the escape, the legs have accompanied and, finally, finally… very happy," he said emotionally. He rode with Kenny Elissonde into the base of the final climb, where he easily put the Frenchman into difficulty, but more impressively he managed to hold off the storming Primoz Roglic.

In the end he thought: 'You'll see, with the luck I have, Roglic comes to me like a plane and he's going to pass me'. I have suffered, suffered, suffered, and only 200 meters from the finish line I looked back to make sure, because I was in an incredible level of agony, and I enjoyed it very much. I have remembered my wife and children, because in the end it is a long time away from them, in height, competing... they are my motivation," Verona added. It were only 13 seconds that he had at the line in Vaujany, but enough to cross the line in glory.

"This victory goes for them and for the team. They are not being easy years and we deserve it. A lot of work behind, many months of sacrifice... you take a weight off your shoulders. Having this photo for me is beautiful and a great motivation, not to settle and continue growing," he concluded.