| FRED WRIGHT IS 4TH AT STAGE 15 LA VUELTA |
| Thursday, November 5th, 2020 – La Vuelta a España featured today the longest stage of this edition, that saw the peloton facing an undulating 230.8km course from Mos to Puebla de Sanabria. |
| The long day in the saddle was made even more demanding due to the headwind and rain. After several breakaway attempts were caught back – with the last survivor who was reeled with less than 4km to go – the stage win was an affair of a reduced group, including Team Bahrain McLaren young rider Fred Wright. |
| Team Bahrain McLaren Sports Director Gorazd Stangelj explained how the actions unfolded: “We were informed that the timings were neutralized with 3km to go due to a dangerous finale. At the same moment, I’ve got the idea to say to Fred that if he wants to take the opportunity, take it. I said to him: ‘It’s up to you if you want to risk a bit’ because it was a bit dangerous at the end with the wet road, but it went all good. I’m happy that our guys are ready to fight every single meter of the race.” |
| As Stangelj asked, Fred Wright took his opportunity, and he managed to fight for a top-five result, taking 4th place on the uphill finish. Philipsen took the win, beating Ackermann and Steimle. |
| “I’m so happy with that after a very long day out. I think it’s the longest ride I’ve ever done, nearly seven hours,” the 21-year-old British rider commented, “Because the GC riders were not involved, I just followed, and I am really happy with the result.” |
| Wright showed his talent and endurance skill on a stage that featured about 4.000m of elevation and that saw him also working for the team, as Stangelj pointed out: “It was a very tough day, a long stage, with headwind all day. There were lots of breakaway attempts, including one dangerous, so we worked to close the gap, with Fred that did a great job in that”. |
| With the decision that timings for the general classification were taken with 3km to go, the overall ranking remained unchanged, with Wout Poels remaining in 6th place. |
| (All pictures can be used for editorial and non-commercial usages only and are copyright @CharlyLopezph) |
