"This win is for Miguel"

Samuel Sánchez and Gorka Gerrikagoitia were both quick to dedicate the former's overall Vuelta al País Vasco win to one man: team founder and general manager Miguel Madariaga. Madariaga will step back from his role at the head of the team come the end of the current season, and was visibly bursting with joy as it became clear overnight leader Joaquím Rodríguez wouldn't be able to defend his lead. According to Samu, it's nothing less than the man deserves.

"The one person who's probably more pleased with this win than I am is Miguel Madariaga. He's kept this team alive 'till this day and deserves this win. I owe him for the chance he gave me, along with his son, to make it as a professional cyclist when I was young. He held out his hand and I grabbed it. I dedicate this victory to him", Samu told the team's website.

DS Gorka Gerrikagoitia was equally expansive, saying "we owe this to him. He's lead the team for the past 19 years".

The man himself, as per tradition, looked at it from an historic point of view, recalling Agustín Sagasti securing the team it's maiden win at the same race 19 years ago.

"It's an important marker in our 19-year history. We started off at the feet of the Virgen de Arantzazu with Sagasti's win, and one of our biggest wins have now also come at this race. It's hugely satisfying".