"It’s still really hard to believe" - Thymen Arensman soars to incredible win high up at Sierra Nevada

Thymen Arensman was given the freedom to lead Team DSM at the Vuelta a Espana, and his rising form on the second week has led to the biggest win of his career as he triumphed atop Sierra Nevada, the highest point of this year's race and most difficult climb.

“It’s still really hard to believe, it really has to sink in. I can’t believe it – the queen stage of the Vuelta, Sierra Nevada at altitude, everyone was talking about this stage," Arensman said after the stage. The Dutchman had encountered tension earlier in the race over being prevented to join a winning breakaway, however was given freedom today and took full advantage of. With the GC race exploding on the slopes of the Alto de Hazallanas, Arensman stuck with the main group from the breakaway, and started his bid for the win with around ten kilometers to go where he went solo.

"To be honest, I didn’t feel super good on the stage but apparently the others felt their legs even more," he said. Arensman went through Marc Soler and later dropped him, taking the lead of the stage. "When I was alone, I had the coach Matt Winston on the radio. I was only thinking I’ve got to push 400 watts and it was enough and it’s unbelievable".

What followed was an incredible performance as the 22-year old kept the lead of the stage comfortably and arrived at the finish with over a minute to spare. "I thought that Marc Soler is such a great rider and I don’t know if I can take him on but then I accelerated on the steeper parts and he cracked and I thought everybody is really on the limit and I maybe have something left so unbelievable," he detailed.

The raid has seen him climb up the GC, into the Top10 and directly into eighth position following another very strong performance at Sierra de la Pandera. He'll be heading to the final week with great form on his legs, but with a big goal acomplished.