After 21 hard fought stages where Team DSM were to the fore almost every day, their brilliant Vuelta a España drew to a fantastic conclusion in Santiago de Compostela - with Michael Storer standing atop the podium, claiming the famous polka dot jersey as King of the Mountains after an incredible team effort.
Choosing their battles wisely throughout the race, Storer, Romain Bardet and the whole team were active on the mountain stages; riding aggressively and claiming three stage wins. On the back of those three incredible victories, it left Team DSM in a great position for the KOM jersey with both Storer and Bardet towards the top of the order, and Bardet moving into the jersey after stage 14. Riding tactically over the following mountainous terrain and the brutal climbs that the Vuelta had to offer, the squad ensured that someone in Team DSM colours secured mountain points; denying their nearest challengers.
Aggressive racing on stages 17 and 18 saw the team do that just brilliantly with Bardet passing the jersey to teammate Storer after he picked up points while going all-in on the attack. Riding cohesively in a unit on the challenging stage 20, the team did enough to ensure that Storer ended the classification in first with Bardet in second - a result that is testament to the team’s great attacking riding at the race, and a jersey win the whole team can be proud of.
Click here for quotes and reaction from Storer and coaching staff.
Photo Credit: © Photogomezsport (header) and Cor Vos |