"First day that I found the feeling" - Juan Pedro Lopez back to form with aggressive Itzulia performance

Juan Pedro López, after a very complicated start to the season due to injuries, has finally found his legs. The Lebrija rider was one of the attacks of the day in the third stage of the Itzulia, but could do nothing against the push of the peloton on the very hard final wall.

The important thing for the Trek-Segafredo rider, however, is that he is finding his form: "I felt good, first day that I found the feeling, I tried it from a distance and it was a bit long," he said in a post-race interview. In the final hills of the day it wasn't easy to organize a chase, and after Bauke Mollema attacked, Trek - Segafredo seeked a stage win with the Spaniard.

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López was joined by James Knox, and later Esteban Chaves with whom they caught up with. "I said to pass the three together (by the front of the group, ed.), try to get to the finish and play it there, but it was not possible. Happy, with a good feeling, I tried... but nothing in the end," he said about his failed attack with Knox and Chaves.

López managed to take the lead of the race inside the final climb with an explosive acceleration, but as the riders hit the final brutal ramp he was absorbed by the peloton. Nevertheless his strong performance earned him a 20th place, and he's likely to put on a performance in the coming days once again.

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The moment in which @skjelmose_ passed the finish line! A solid 6th place for him 👊 #Itzulia2023

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