"I can be very proud of this third place" - Tiesj Benoot seizes freedom to finish on podium of San Sebastian

Tiesj Benoot has ridden to a third place on the Clasica San Sebastian, once again showing his strong form and prowess in the hilly classics, off the back of a Tour de France where he worked very hard for Jumbo-Visma's success.

"On the Jaizkibel, they were already riding very hard. I felt that Quickstep had something planned. Timo and Lennard did a great job to keep me in front," Benoot thanked in a post-race interview. The race blew up very early on whilst in the climb to Erlaitz, where the Belgian went solo off the front and was never again to be seen.

"When Evenepoel attacked, I chose to ride my own pace. At the top, I waited for Mollema and Sivakov, so we had a good group." Benoot said. Eventually with the two INEOS riders going up the road, Benoot worked alongside Simon Yates and Bauke Mollema, in hopes of fighting for a podium position.

That was to be decided in the steep hilltop of the Alto de Murgil, where Benoot managed to drop his group companions and go through Carlos Rodríguez to be in position to take bronze - albeit away from camera footage. "First Yates couldn’t follow anymore, then Mollema. I rode to the top and could still catch up with Rodríguez, but Sivakov was too far away," he described.

This wraps up a very strong period for Benoot where he achieved a lot of success, and will now be recovering towards the final months of the season. "I think I can be very proud of this third place. Now it's time to rest," he concluded.