Mauro Schmid rode to an impressive second place for Team Jayco AlUla on stage 13 of the Vuelta a España after making it into the breakaway for the second day running.
The Swiss champion, who is coming into some fantastic form as the Spanish Grand Tour only gets harder, was part of a large group of over 20 riders that escaped very early in the stage.
As the group was whittled down by the terrain, Schmid attacked a couple of times to try and steal a gap on his companions but he was reeled back in. Despite his efforts, he remained firm and was part of a select group of fewer than five as the steep summit finish loomed.
Schmid tried again as he rode away with Michael Woods at the foot of the last ascent. He went toe-to-toe with the Canadian champion for some time before Woods, a pure climber, broke clear with just over four kilometres to go.
Nevertheless, the 24-year-old kept battling to the line, holding off some strong climbers behind to secure a podium finish.
The result backs up a hard-earned fourth place that he earned on the stage 12 uphill finale, which came only a day after his teammate Eddie Dunbar claimed his maiden Grand Tour stage victory.
Mauro Schmid:
“I wasn’t expecting that, I knew the finish wasn’t very suitable for me, but somehow, I ended up in the break today and if I’m in the break then I’m always trying, at least. I tried to attack a few times before and I thought that if I could get a little gap, I had a better chance, but I knew that when it came to the last climb my chances were quite slim.
I knew the chance for me to get into the breakaway was early because I still had quite tired legs from yesterday but I had a little feeling because the last few days it always took so long so maybe that was the reason nobody was expecting it so when Victor [Campenaerts] went from the start then I knew I had to be in the wheel and it turned out to be a good idea. I just tried to survive [on the last climb] and do my own pace from the bottom. When Mike went, I knew it would be difficult to stay in the wheel and then I just tried to do my rhythm.”
Vuelta a España 2024 stage 13 results
1. Michael Woods 04:19:51
2. Mauro Schmid (Team Jayco AlUla) +45
3. Marc Soler +1:11
Photos: Sprint Cycling
