Strong team performance and attacking finale nets Oscar Onley 3rd at GP Miguel Indurain

Racing in Spain returned on Saturday afternoon for the hilly GP Miguel Indurain, where Team dsm-firmenich Post NL took a strong result with Oscar Onley in third place.

With a variety of weather conditions in store for the riders as they rolled out of the starting area, the team began the day with the objective of looking after Oscar Onley, Warren Barguil and Gijs Leemreize until the final of the race. Doing so ably they stayed safe in the wet conditions and ensured the trio were in the dramatically reduced bunch with around 30 kilometres to go. From there the attacks started flying with Onley covering several moves and making some of his own, although he was always shut down by those behind. Over the top of the penultimate climb McNulty made a strong attack to go clear and build up a gap, while there was hesitation in the chasing group. A strong pull from Barguil saw the gap halved as they hit the final climb, before Van Gils attacked. Not following initially, Onley dug deep at his own pace and crested the climb in third place. Managing the tricky descent well, he almost caught back up to the leading duo but to no avail. Nevertheless, it was a strong showing from the team as they take third with Onley; a promising result in his return to racing.

 

Onley said: “The guys did a good job staying around myself and Warren today and making sure we were in position into every key point. I’m satisfied to pick up third after a long time away from the races but also know I was maybe capable of more if I’d ridden a bit differently. We can take this confidence into Itzulia next week though and hopefully come away with some more results there!”

Team dsm-firmenich PostNL coach Christian Guiberteau continued: “It was a nice race from the guys today and a good podium with Oscar in the end. It was a long, difficult day and then with the wind and rain it added some extra stress. All of the guys did all they could do to help Oscar and Warren who were our finishers today and get them into position for the final. It was an attacking and active end to the race with Oscar on the attack but he still then had enough left in the legs to get a podium. It is a good result for his confidence in his first race back after his crash, and overall it is nice for us all to get a podium here as we move towards Itzulia next week.”