Another mountaintop finish saw Tom Danielson climbing with the leaders to keep his position in the top ten of the overall, while teammate Christian Vande Velde went out on the attack early and often.
“The team was awesome helping me all day.” said Danielson. “Matt Wilson and Christian Vande Velde put me into awesome position on the climb.”
“I felt awesome up there and within myself. In the last two kilometers Nibali was talking risks on the downhill which was very slippery. I eased off as I wanted to make sure I benefited from my good performance and not end up off the cliff!”
“A very fast start on the coast line meant up and down from the beginning,” said director sportif Johnny Weltz.
“Everybody knew that a break could go to the finish so everybovy was on the attack — but not everybody could stay the pace. The field split into several groups, but no one got a go.
“VDV was very active all day int he attacks. At 80 km finally six riders got free. They gained up to seven minutes before some teams started the chase, but with no intention of catching it as the game was on for the GC.
“At the bottom of the HC climb we where 45 minutes ahead of fastest time schedule!”
“The team set up Tommy D very well for the climb and he did a really strong climb to the top, and was fifth on the stage out of the favorite’s group, where several of the favorites had a hard day.”
“The break away stayed away so Tommy D enforced his position on GC. Tomorrow there is an even harder mountain stage in sight, before the second rest day.”
“I finished strong and feel awesome,” said Danielson. “I am so excited to see my wife Stephanie and my baby Stevie D in a few days — I hope to turn that into more good performances.”
