Pascal Ackermann regretful over mistake on Vuelta a Espana sprint: "I then realised I started too early"

Pascal Ackermann had been rather absent from the Vuelta a Espana, but made sure he was visible and active in today's finale into Montilla where he tried to surprise in the finale - however to no success.

"The team did a great job today to accompany me and put me in position before the final," the German said in a post-race interview. Having crashed the week before the Vuelta and having a fifth place on stage two as his best result throughout the race, expectations weren't high on him, with teammate Juan Sebastian Molano being rated a higher option by some. However he made a statement today, but his bid for the win was cut short.

I saw the 500 [meters to go] sign and I thought after the last corner there was a short distance to the finish line and so I took off," he said. "When I got out of the curve, I saw that there were still 300 meters left and I then realised I started too early. Too bad because the legs are there, I hope to make up for it".

Ackermann showed strong peak power, but misjudged the timing in his final sprint, cracking in the slight uphill gradients to the line. His initial acceleration created enough of a gap however that saw him hang on to third, but disappointed as he banged his bars across the line. UAE Team Emirates will have two more sprints in which he can perform, and he is showing to be worthy of the support in them.