Nicolas Roche was looking lean and aggressive at Clasica San Sebastien, taking a brilliant ninth after a grueling 220-kilometre battle against many of the top climbers in the world.
Nicolas Roche has expressed his satisfaction with his performance at Clasica San Sebastien on Saturday, a result that tells him his form is at, or very close to, where he wants it.
Having missed the Tour de France after Team Sky didn’t pick him, Roche got back to business in a race he has never hidden his affection for.
He was active and engaged in the contest all day, but lacked a killer instinct in the final before coming home in a chasing group to take 9th place.
“I think I was okay. I was in a good position and I rode solidly on the climb but I just had no sprint,” he offered afterwards.
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“It’s not always easy to say I should have sprinted earlier or whatever; I was third wheel in my group at 300 metres to go but I just did not have any kick.
“But after my hard altitude camp (in Livigno) recently I’m happy and I should be good for next week.”
Next weekend, of course, is the Olympic Games road race in Rio de Janeiro where he will take to the line with Dan Martin in the green of Ireland.
“At least that performance is good for my head," he said of his ride in Spain on Saturday.
“I was obviously a bit worried how I’d be as it was the first time I did San Sebastien without the Tour beforehand.
“I did a lot of training and I’ve been super focused for the Olympics so hopefully I can go well.”
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