Chris Hamilton battles to 8th after all-out day of racing to Lekunberri

With the goal of getting it into the break to play for the stage win the team rode well with Chris Hamilton making the move; and battling to a strong eight place at the end of the day; yet another top ten for Team dsm-firmenich.

A fierce start to the day saw incredibly fast racing with 50 kilometres covered in the first hour as even the GC riders rolled attacks. Hamilton was sharp when it came together and bridged to group ahead on the opening climb of the day. Despite being held close initially, the proverbial elastic then snapped and Hamilton’s break gained enough time so it was clear they would fight for the stage win. The nature of the route made it tactical and with a strong group several attacks were made, including some from Hamilton, but it all came down to the final climb. A trio managed to escape with Hamilton in a chasing group. Over the top the leaders held 30 seconds but after playing some games, Hamilton’s group had then in view in sight of the line. However, they just wouldn’t be able to come back with Hamilton taking a fine eighth place on the day; showing his good legs after his third place on stage nine.

“It was pretty hard today, a lot harder than I expected it was going to be,” expressed Hamitlon. “We were pretty confident that it was going to be a breakaway day so we just went all-in for that. After the past few days I was suffering quite a bit and I honestly felt not great today either so just to be there I was pretty surprised, but we can take some confidence from that. Then I just suffered as much as possible and did what I could in the final. It’s not a podium or something but I’m still pretty happy with how I got through the stage and managed to get another top ten for the team.”

Team dsm-firmenich coach Phil West added: “It was like warfare today. Directly from the start the race was full-gas. We had the goal to be in the break or the move that finally went. It was a real war of attrition in the end. We were present and correct and had Romain and Chris in the spots they needed to be. It was a real fight and then a really select group came together, before a new breakaway went and Chris bridged across to the front. We tried to make a fight of it on the final climb and in the end Chris came in eighth. It’s a really nice result actually in a high-level front group. The teamwork again was on point by the guys, but I think after today they’re all looking forward to the rest day.”