"I made a mistake by not being in Pedersen's wheel" - Bryan Coquard shows the legs but lack tactics at Vuelta sprint

Bryan Coquard has proved to have good form and performed in a finale where he was expected to thrive, but found strong competition in Mads Pedersen who soared to the win at the Vuelta a Espana.

“He is perhaps the best rider in this Vuelta. Everyone talks about Evenepoel, but Pedersen is really, really good," Coquard said after the finish. The French rider was one of the favourites for today and had his team control the breakaway. He was also present near the front throughout the final kilometers and had his intentions clear, 'Le Coq' was in the fight for the win. He finished second, but pointed out a crucial mistake: "I myself still managed to make up a lot of places in the last meters, but I made a mistake by not being in Pedersen's wheel."

This strong result has however brought him and Cofidis 40 UCI points. This morning his teammate Davide Cimolai said he would be abandoning the race after today's stage in order to search for points elsewhere for the French teams. "The fact remains: we have not yet made a decision and we are still discussing with each other," he replied to that.

“Of course there are fewer points to earn in the Vuelta than in, for example, a number of French races in which I often do well. This year I earned more UCI points by winning a stage in Bessèges than by finishing second in a stage in the Tour de Suisse," he pointed out. With the race heading into the mountains tomorrow, and with only two more opportunities, Coquard may abandon the race this weekend. At the same time, his form may see him continue in the race, as stage 16 into Tomares will be another suiting finale.