Marc Hirschi and UAE recalibrated San Sebastian tactics based on Vingegaard: "We were a bit surprised by him"

Marc Hirschi secured another important classic win on Saturday. The Swiss rider of UAE-Team Emirates broke away from the competition on the tough final climb alongside Julian Alaphilippe of Soudal Quick-Step and then sealed the victory in a two-man sprint.

"It was really hard," the winner began in the flash interview. "Julian went very fast right from the foot of the last climb, but after that, we slowed the pace a bit. However, on a climb like that, it's always a matter of suffering until you reach the top. When we got to the top, it was just the two of us. At that moment, we knew we had to keep going, and it eventually came down to a sprint between the two of us," said Hirschi, who remained calm in the finale and managed to stay ahead of Alaphilippe in the streets of San Sebastian.

UAE-Team Emirates adjusted race tactics based on Vingegaard's form

UAE-Team Emirates appeared dominant in the race, with Pavel Sivakov, Brandon McNulty and Jan Christen also at the front. "We were actually a bit surprised by the fact that Jonas Vingegaard had to drop back so quickly on the penultimate climb. The plan was to follow him, but we also knew we wanted to attack if he wasn’t feeling great after the Tour de France," the eventual winner revealed when discussing their planned tactics after the race.

And that turned out to be the case. "So Pavel and Jan were able to do their thing. I even think Pavel would have won if Lotto-Dstny had one fewer rider chasing him, but nonetheless, we were in a good position where we didn’t have to chase."

Hirschi was able to convert that good position into a victory. "This win means a lot to me. Alongside my stage in the Tour de France and my win in the Flèche Wallonne, this one definitely ranks among my most beautiful victories," he concluded.