"My dad was there, so it's super fun to be able to share this with him" - Emotional Vuelta stage win for Jesus Herrada

Becoming the first Spaniard to taste victory at the 2023 Vuelta a Espana, Cofidis' Jesus Herrada took a stunning breakaway stage win full of emotions on stage 11 atop La Laguna Negra.

“I tried and tried this Vuelta”, the 33-year-old who was actually the last Spanish rider to win a stage, back in 2022, said in his post-stage interview. “Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. When I woke up this morning, I knew it was a great finale for me. It was difficult to be in the right break, but in the end I ended up in the final.”

“I had already lost a lot of strength, but I was still able to make the difference in the last 300 meters," Herrada continues, referencing the frantic finish that saw him power his way to victory ahead of Romain Gregoire and Andreas Kron. "This is my third stage victory in the Vuelta. I'm very happy. I'm going to enjoy this and we'll keep fighting for it in the coming weeks."

The victory was made even sweeter for Herrada due to the appearance of his father at the finish line to celebrate alongside him. "My dad was there, so it's super fun to be able to share this with him."