Clément Davy Shines in Breakaway Attempt during Stage 19 of Vuelta
After his impressive performance on stage 14, French cyclist Clément Davy got another chance to showcase his skills in a breakaway during stage 19 of the Vuelta. Although he couldn’t escape the inevitable bunch sprint, Davy was the last attacker to be caught, proving his determination and potential. In a chaotic sprint, Alberto Dainese emerged as the winner.
Stage 19 of the Vuelta brought the riders back to easier terrain, with no climbs along the 177-kilometer route towards Íscar in Castile and Leon. While it was anticipated that the stage would end in a sprint, the peloton often struggles to catch breakaways in the third week of a Grand Tour. Davy, motivated and eager for success, joined a breakaway of four riders early on in the race.
Davy, reflecting on his decision to join the breakaway, stated, “After spending many years alongside Arnaud controlling the peloton and the breakaways, I have always been keen to do the opposite, knowing that this effort suits me well. So I really wanted to be in the breakaway today… And then: nothing ventured, nothing gained.”
Despite their efforts, the breakaway’s lead remained around two minutes, and the sprinter teams in the peloton soon caught up. Davy acknowledged that the peloton always holds the deciding power in determining the outcome of the race, especially on a flat stage with a headwind. However, he maintained that he has no regrets about his performance, stating, “I got my breakaway, on a flat stage but which suited me. I had to believe in it. I’m happy with my day anyway, as it was a good and fast ride.”
In the chaotic final kilometers, a crash disorganized the peloton, and the day’s favorite, Kaden Groves, was brought down. Despite the confusion, Lewis Askey, another rider for Groupama-FDJ, managed to avoid the crash and finished in seventh place. Askey admitted that he didn’t make the right decisions in the end, but he still delivered a strong sprint.
Looking ahead to the penultimate stage of the Vuelta, riders can expect a challenging course with ten climbs and no flat sections. It will be the ultimate opportunity for climbers and punchers to make their mark before the race’s conclusion.
