Ethan Vernon came close to the win on Stage 3 of Volta a Catalunya, finishing second in Vila-seca after a fast, tactical race decided in the final meters.
The stage featured a demanding middle section, with multiple climbs and shifting wind conditions putting the peloton under pressure and creating a selective race throughout the day.
What initially looked like a controlled run-in turned into a much more chaotic finale.
“It was all under control, and then in the last hour it really kicked off more than we expected with the GC riders,” said Vernon. “The bunch split, Remco [Evenepoel] and Jonas [Vingegaard] got away, and it completely changed the race.”
The team reacted immediately, committing to the chase and bringing the race back together in time for a sprint finish.
“The guys adapted really well. We rode hard and managed to bring everything back for the sprint,” he added.
Two riders remained off the front deep into the finale, and the gap was only closed inside the final 500 meters, setting up a high-speed finish into Vila-seca.
A key moment just before the sprint proved decisive.
“There was a near crash on the last roundabout which put me out of position,” Vernon explained. “I felt really good, but from that point I was already on the back foot.”
Despite that setback, Vernon launched his sprint from further back than planned and powered to second place.
“I came out of the roundabout around fifth or sixth wheel, and we really needed to be second or third,” he said. “I ended up sprinting from about 450 meters. In the end, second was the best I could do.”
Sports Director Óscar Guerrero praised both the execution and the team’s commitment throughout the stage.
“We expected the stage to develop like this, with the break going early, and we were happy with how we controlled the race from the start,” Guerrero said. “The situation changed when the race split and riders like Remco and Jonas went clear. They’re not just any riders, and that made the chase much harder.”
The team committed fully to closing the gap, using riders one by one in the final kilometers.
“We had to work again to bring it back, and that cost us in the finale,” he explained. “We used our riders progressively, and in the end everyone contributed to making the catch.”
The catch came inside the final kilometer, leaving little margin for positioning before the sprint.
“If Remco hadn’t crashed, it would have been very difficult to bring them back,” Guerrero added. “That gave us the opportunity to fight for the win, but in the end it came down to small details.”
Despite narrowly missing out on victory, Guerrero emphasized the team’s performance across the opening stages.
“Second place is a strong result, but we came here to win and we believe we deserved more,” he said. “The team has taken responsibility and worked hard over these first days. The attitude and commitment have been excellent.”
After a day defined by changing race dynamics, teamwork, and a near-miss in the finale, the result highlights both the team’s strength and Vernon’s form, before the race now shifts focus toward the mountains and new opportunities for the group.