Intense afternoon for Alex Aranburu who won, was DQd and then won again: "He was happy and angry at the same time"

Stage 3 of Itzulia Basque Country became a huge drama after Alex Aranburu crossed the line as stage winner. That was because the Spanishman crossed a roundabout in the final on a side that was closed - contrary to what was written in road book before the start. The Spanish champion was relegated to 10th place and later even disqualified from the race.

But in the end, Aranburu was declared the winner again, after a long period of uncertainty. "It was of course a difficult decision," Cofidis sports director Bingen Fernández told Cycling Pro Net. "You normally follow the road book, and we knew that the roundabout there had to be taken on the right."

As a home rider, Aranburu was extremely motivated to succeed today in the national champion colours. Therefore he meticulously studied the road book to gain an edge over his opponents in event of such close finish like today's.

"The rider comes from here, and he studied all the roundabouts, because he wanted to know exactly how the final would go. In the last kilometre and a half, he suddenly saw that the roundabout was half open. Of course, he took the right. He did the right thing, because the road book said that it had to be done that way. And that is the bible of cycling."

Thus justice has won, says the director. "There were many discussions, but the road book remained central. Moreover, he was simply the strongest," he highlighted.

It was a rollercoaster of emotions for the Spanish champion after the stage. The eventual winner was even completely disqualified from the race at one point. With tears in his eyes, he drove towards the hotel. "He was happy and angry at the same time. Because he won, and then he didn't, and then he did again. It is very tough. In the end, we are happy with the victory, but it is not a victory under normal circumstances."