VPV stage 3: Egoi & Alan on the attack

Even though the team have lost the chance of overall success, there's no way they're going to give up without a fight. After Amets tried his luck in the break yesterday, it was Egoi and Alan's turn today. Both made it into the group of six up front. Alan, realising the hilly terrain was more suited to a rider like Egoi than himself, put his own ambitions aside and worked for Egoi. Just like Iván on the first stage, Alan, to his eternal credit, sacrificed himself for another team-mate. Chapeau! Naturally Alan had to let go with something like 45 kilometres to go, and sadly his work eventually turned out to be a waste as Egoi and the rest of the group were reeled back in with 4 clicks to go. Tough luck again for the guys in orange. In the sprint for the stage-win Samu again grabbed 5th. Good ride no doubt, but that first win of the season still isn't coming. All the guys, except Alan of course, finished inside the peloton. Alan rolled in 12 minutes 10 seconds back, and spoke to the media afterwards. "I'm dead", he said bluntly. "We looked to get into the break from the go and eventually six of us succeeded. Straight away today I didn't feel good but, since Egoi did, I gave it my all to make the group stay clear and give Egoi a chance at the win. I did what I could."