Mixed feelings for Corbin Strong after La Vuelta podium: "If I had started the sprint in the wheel of Van Aert and Groves..."
Cycling
Corbin Strong has for the second time in this Vuelta a España ridden to a third place in a bunch sprint. However, he was disappointed after today, as he was not able to contest the victory due to starting his sprint far from the two main favourites on the day: Kaden Groves and Wout van Aert.
Strong actually believed that this scenario was possible for the stage, where Visma controlled the breakaway in order to seek out a sprint. This was a good race situation for the Kiwi as well: "I always saw it as a possibility that a team would control the stage. I also thought it would be a good stage for me, but I was a bit sick after the first stages of the tour. I was not at my best the last few days, so it was nice to see that I was there again today."
Strong is a good climber and so having the pace high on the climb and into a sprint is the scenario in which it becomes most likely for him to take a win. The pace was not overly high however and Kaden Groves still survived the ascent in the peloton; which meant Alpecin-Deceuninck could enter the sprint in the front still with a few leadout men. This fight for positioning behind saw Strong struggle eventually.
"George Bennett did a really good job, but I lost a few positions in the last corner. I had to start my sprint from the seventh or eighth wheel," he tells. he was able to overtake several riders in the slight uphill dash to the line, but it was only good enough for a third place on the day.
"I'm very happy with my third place, but if I had started the sprint in the wheel of Van Aert and Groves, I would have had a much better chance. Hopefully the positioning will be better in the coming days and I will get another chance," he concluded.
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A founding contributor to CyclingUpToDate since its launch in January 2022, Ruben Silva has played a central role in shaping the site’s editorial direction and long-term growth. Before joining the project, he built his experience through independent blogging at Echelons Hub and by producing race previews for Ciclismo Internacional, developing a strong analytical voice rooted in daily engagement with professional cycling.
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🗣️ “In hindsight, I’m really happy with third, but I think if I start the sprint in the wheels I’d have had a better chance…” @corbin_strong reflects on his fourth top-six finish of this year’s @lavuelta in Villablino 🥉 #LaVuelta24 #YallaIPT
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