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Berrade was part of a 13-man breakaway that scaled the last ascent before the final 40 kilometres, and as the leading group waited for an opportunity to attack, the Kern-Pharma rider seized his moment with less than five kilometres remaining.
The 18th stage of the Spanish Grand Tour concluded just outside the village of Maeztu and added an extra layer of meaning for Berrade, who was born nearby in Pamplona.
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La Vuelta 2024
series • cycling
series • cycling
“It’s a dream,” Berrade said. “The stage closer to home, with all my family watching me, friends, in the last stages of La Vuelta.
"When there are so few opportunities left it seemed complicated to get a stage. I've been close in others, but it's incredible.
“I didn’t see myself as the winner until I crossed the finish line. No doubt it comes from great previous work that we have done. Since the beginning of the season we had La Vuelta in mind. We have made an impressive preparation, and this is not the result of chance."
Berrade's win is the third for team Equipo Kern-Pharma in a breakout campaign at the Vuelta, with Pablo Castrillo already doubling up on Stage 12 and Stage 15.
Australian Ben O'Connor (AG2R Decathlon La Mondiale) managed to retain the red jersey and his slender five-second advantage over Primoz Roglic (Red Bull BORA-Hansgrohe), with three stages to go in the race.
"I’m still in the lead!" O'Connor said after the stage.
"It’s nice to have it for another day. I don’t know if it’s 13 or 14 days, a long time. I’ve loved it and I enjoyed it a lot.”
