Juan Sebastián Molano surprises to debut Vuelta win after "planning to put on the sprint for Pascal Ackermann"

Juan Sebastián Molano has established himself as a quality sprinter over the last few years, but few would've expected him to take his first World Tour win in the final day of the Vuelta a Espana, not even him as he didn't go into the sprint as UAE Team Emirates main option.

"I was planning to put on the sprint for Pascal Ackermann. 300 meters before the finish I started," Molano said after the finish. As many teams put on a chase to Luke Plapp and Julius Johansen, it saw some teams with reduced leadouts. Not UAE, who had Marc Soler and Ivo Oliveira deliver their fast men into the final meters of the stage. Molano started his sprint with around 250 meters to go alongside Mads Pedersen.

"I felt I had good legs. Then I saw that Pedersen was already sprinting, but not over me for the time being. I kept going and I'm really glad I did," he described. the plan was for Pascal Ackermann to come from behind, however he never did. Not only did the German fail to go through Molano, so as Mads Pedersen who failed to match the acceleration.

Molano stormed to the win, his second one of the year, crossing the line in disbelief after a plan that wasn't even in the making. “First I want to thank my mother, who I love very much. I also want to thank my brothers and the team. We did a fantastic job," the Colombian thanked.

“Unbelievable, we have worked hard. I have had to make a lot of sacrifices, that is part of the life of a top athlete. And then there are family who live far away. I am very happy that I managed to do it," he concluded.