Nicolas Roche, Vuelta a Espana, stage two

The punishing gradients of Alto de Monte Groba had already proved the downfall of many of the expected GC contenders as stage two of this year’s Vuelta drew to a close. With Movistar setting an extraordinary pace at the front of the bunch as they bid to set Alejandro Valverde up for victory, the likes of Sergio Henao (Team Sky) and Samuel Sanchez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) found themselves spat out the back.

However, Valverde would not get a shot at victory, as first Leopold Konig (NetApp-Endura) blew the leading group apart with a daring solo attack, before Nicolas Roche counter-attacked in style. Roche admitted he knew he would be unable to outsprint Valverde, so spotting his opportunity the Irishman bridged to Konig with two fellow pursuers. And, defying the eight per cent gradients approaching the peak, Roche burst from the leading group with 300m to go, sprinting long and hard on the uphill finish. His attack proved to be perfectly timed too, as he propelled himself towards the finish, even finding time to zip up his jersey before saluting his victory and roaring, arms outstretched, as he crossed the line.