🏆 🇦🇺 @kaden_groves - @AlpecinDCK: "Really incredibly important for our team. They come here supporting me, but this year's parcours is really quite difficult. So we really only have today and tomorrow, a few opportunities in this first week, so I felt really big pressure to…
Groves defeats Van Aert and secures first season victory: "Thought Wout would follow me, but the opposite happened"
CyclingMonday, 19 August 2024 at 08:52
Kaden Groves has secured his first victory of the year. The Australian rider from Alpecin-Deceuninck was the fastest sprinter in the second stage of the Vuelta a España, where he relegated Wout van Aert (Visma | Lease a Bike) to the closest place of honor. And of course, the sprinter was thrilled!
"It's really a great way to start this Vuelta," the Aussie began in the flash interview. "It has been a difficult year for myself, as I hadn't won yet this season. I came here super motivated to change that."
Can Groves strike again on Monday?
"I have to thank my team for the super strong support in this stage," continued the 25-year-old Oceanian in his analysis. "Following Wout was initially my plan. On the other hand: my two lead-out men, Edward Planckaert and Maurice Ballerstedt, had problems with their bikes, which caused me to miss them in the finale. Normally, I think Wout would have followed me, but ultimately, I had to do the opposite."
Groves also spoke briefly about his spring season, which was fraught with misfortune. "I had a nasty injury back then and missed many races because of it. Luckily, I came back at a good level in the Giro, although I wasn’t fast enough there to beat Jonathan Milan and Tim Merlier. However, that really kept me motivated to continue working hard. It was incredibly important for my team to perform here. The guys come here to support me, but this year's course is really tough. I really felt a huge pressure to perform in this stage."
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Latest Comments
- I wish we could have seen him try. He'd absolutely get dropped before Pogi overtakes his domestiquesVeganpotter10-12-2024
- Talk is cheap! Next year barring crashes with a healthy team... all well be on track! Some need to talk to make a headline!mootman27-11-2024
- I do not see this event listed on HBO Max Sports Online? Can anyone confirm? Thanks!
MrYuck23-11-2024 - It seemed that he was focusing forward at the time of the crash, after seeing a quick video snippet. But one thing I think he should focus on more intently is breaking a bad habit he has, right now. And that is his constant looking over his shoulders. He does that so much, that I am very sure it is not good for him. Simply watch videos of the greats of CX and you will see very little of that constant looking over their shoulders. That is a behavior that betrays a bit of insecurity on his part. He shouldn't be so concerned, incessantly, about what is over his shoulder. He needn't worry they didn't all disappear. He neds to keep his focus more ahead of himself, and he needs to pay a bit more attention to himself, in a confident manner. It is very frustrating to watch, because it is apparent that he has a lot of potential, and is in much better shape thwan many of his competitors, but the mental game needs to be sharpened more, because that part of strategy plays a huge part in the final results
reemmo022-11-2024 - hahahaha love this shit! I didnt even watched the race, but reading all the gossip articles of how stupid this is!Zatoichi19-11-2024
- Van Aert is really handsome. He can influence me all day! Ditto for Philipsen. Why do you think many of us love cycling?: to see heroic attempts at climbing mountains at high altitudes or to watch speedsters sprint for the finish line or to watch a human being ride at break neck speed down a tricky descent? No, it's all about their lean physiques and muscular legs. (apologies for objectifying these dedicated and amazing athletes).BarwonHeadsUp25-10-2024
- It is unfortunate that the author can't feel the joy that Pogacar brings to the sport and his fans who are legion and I for one feel lucky to have watched such a memorable performance and historic season From the Strada until yesterday with multiple wins in stages in both tours and beyond dominance in the World's. He is proud to wear the Rainbow stripes, shows his leadership to protect his fellows and is as courteous and sportsman-like as the sport allows. He goes early to not have to respond to each attack as all the rest would make him do it. Any racer who could would do the same. Don't "grow tired" of greatness as it is always fleeting.ccrider13-10-2024
- What load of rubbish. Pog is likely a once in a generation cyclist, the like of which hasn't been seen since 'the Cannibal '. How many people were complaining that Merckx was making racing predictable? I remember this year's World RR as one of the most exciting I've watched. Mainly BECAUSE Pog was the favourite and launched what everyone thought (Pog included) was a suicidal attack with 80km to go. For the next 2 hours, I was on the edge of my seat thinking "this is too much, even for Pog". Maybe Zonnefeld prefers the snooze-fest that is a bunch sprint? Like most people I know, I can't watch two hours of the bunch riding very fast... I wait for the final 5km and watch just the sprint. In any event, most races are won from a sprint or lone break. What difference does it make who makes the lone break? Ultimately, the other contenders will have to figure out a way to beat Pog. Even if that means collaboration between teams. It's going to be an exciting few seasons, until the next Pog arrives on the scene. If this is boring, heaven knows what exciting looks like!Michael513-10-2024
- This is not a gravel race. UCI fail, from the surface they are on to team tactics. In what country was the first "gravel race" in what country is the most popular gravel race? Go with the race model that created the discipline.
Barnes127411-10-2024 - And don't forget he has now won 4 of the big 10 races (Grand tours, Monuments and WC/OG) in one year with a chance to make that 5. (5 has only been done once before)Joostmehrtens05-10-2024