Vuelta a España - Esteban Chaves: Luckily for me, this day is over
Sep 06 2017 12:32 am CET
Photo of Esteban Chaves © Mary Cárdenas / CyclingPub.com
Esteban Chaves dropped from fifth to ninth place in the overall standings of the Vuelta a España after struggling in Tuesday's Individual Time Trial.
The Orica-Scott rider needed four minutes more to finish the time trial than winner Chris Froome, and saw his podium chances decline as several of his key rivals performed much better.
It was really hard, too hard," he said. "I knew from the beginning that it was going to be a tough day, probably the hardest day for me and it is what it is. I was prepared for that and it is the result that it is. Now we will have to prepare for the week that is coming."
The Colombian was surpassed by Sunweb's Wilco Kelderman who started two minutes behind him and ended up in second place in the time trial standings.
"He came really fast and it was in the part that is normally the best for me, on the climb. He is a very strong guy, and he set one of the fastest times. It was hard but I knew this day was going to be very hard for me. We will see what happens in the following days but luckily for me, this day is over.
"I don't know how much time I lost today, but surely I will try to win it back in the mountains. That is the only way for me, because I can't attack in Madrid (laughs)."
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