Louis Meintjes, the leader of Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux and eleventh in the classification before the start of this twentieth stage this Saturday, was one of the principal protagonists in this last mountain stage of this edition.
He tried everything to finish in the top ten by attacking in the downhill of the first of five climbs of the day and by joining the breakaway for the third time in this Vuelta.
The best placed rider in GC of this group of around twenty riders did a lot of work to maintain the gap to the peloton and attacked on the Puerto de la Morcuera with 40 kilometer to go.
The 30 year old South-African rider resisted to the return of the favorites until the final hectometers of the Puerto de Cotos, the last difficulty, with its top less than 10 kilometer before the finish.
In the end, Louis Meintjes crossed the finish line in seventh position as part of the group with the red jersey. He will start the traditional closing stage through the streets of the capital in eleventh place in the general classification.
« I have no regrets, I'm proud on the way I raced today. I gave the best of myself one last time. Because of the time gaps and the lack of collaboration from several riders in my group, the return of the favorites was unavoidable. But I'm very happy about my Vuelta and my stage victory on Les Praeres. Once we arrive in Madrid, I will be able to enjoy some rest. »
