The day after a very successful stage on the Vuelta a España, the Groupama-FDJ cycling team played a less prominent role on Wednesday in Spain. At the summit of the Alto de El Morredero, the favourites fought for the win, and Giulio Pellizzari took it. Rudy Molard reached the summit in 31st place, while Rémi Cavagna and Stefan Küng were already thinking about Thursday’s Valladolid time trial.
A summit finish. Yet another one. For the eighth and penultimate time on the 2025 Vuelta a España, the finish line was drawn atop of a climb this Wednesday; This time, the Alto de El Morredero. Nine kilometres at 9.5% were to conclude stage 17 of the Spanish Grand Tour, on a day that, despite being slightly hilly, was to come down to the final climb. Twelve riders managed to take the lead after around twenty kilometers, but Visma-Lease a Bike immediately controlled them and kept the gap at two minutes. “After the stage we did yesterday, we knew it would be difficult to break away again today,” said Frédéric. “Clement, Rudy, and Brieuc were in front yesterday, Rémi and Stefan had to take it easy today, so I’m not surprised that we weren’t represented in this group of twelve. That said, we don’t have regrets at all because we realized straight away that the breakaway wouldn’t have made it today. You can’t chase everything; you have to select your stages.”
“Stefan and Rémi will give their best,” Frédéric Guesdon
What’s more, the Vuelta a España leaders decided to go for this stage. The breakaway was caught at the bottom of the final climb, at the end of which Giulio Pellizzari claimed victory. Rudy Molard crossed the line in 31st place, seven minutes later. “Rudy and Clément still tried to do their best up the climb,” Frédéric said. “As for Rémi and Stefan, they had to manage their day as they saw fit and make a few small efforts if they felt the need. They were more focused on tomorrow, which is normal because the time trial remains a big goal for them.” In Valladolid, a 27-kilometre, mostly flat course will be on the menu for the riders this Thursday. “When you have Stefan and Rémi at the start of a time trial, you always hope to win, but we know there’s a high competition, including Vingegaard and Almeida who will be fighting for the overall classification also,” concluded Frédéric. “It will be difficult, but knowing Rémi and Stefan, they will give their best, and then we’ll see the result. In any case, they’re looking forward to this stage.”
