The curtain closed on the Vuelta a España this year with a tough 33 kilometre time trial from Padrón to Santiago de Compostela. With a tough parcours including several challenging climbs, a fast descent and some flat power sections; it would prove to be a hard final effort.

Nico Denz set a good early time for the team, completing the tricky course in 46 minutes and 20 seconds and moving into a provisional second place at the time. Next down the ramp for the team, Chad Haga, would also go into a provisional second, stopping the clock in 45 minutes and 45 seconds after he gave it his all over the lumpy terrain. 21-year-old Thymen Arensman lit up the timing sheets for the team as he flew around the route to complete his second Vuelta, setting a very impressive time of 44 minutes and 54 seconds, also moving into a provisional second at the line.

With lots of riders still to go, the standings shuffled around somewhat as day drew to its conclusion but after a brilliant team performance, Arensman ended the day in a great third place with Haga not far behind in fifth, while the team had six riders in the top 25 of the stage – the perfect ending to a great Vuelta.

“It was a very long TT and there was no rest, I was deep in the hurt locker,” explained Haga. “I left it all out there and I can be proud of that. I was racing for the win today and had this stage in mind the whole Vuelta. It didn’t work out in the end but I gave it a go. There was just one downhill and it was so hot, I think I got cooked at the top of the first climb and never came back really. It was just suffering from start to finish, but that last ten kilometres seemed to take forever.”

Team DSM coach Matt Winston added: “I think it was a super team performance today, it just shows how strong we are coming out of this Vuelta. We can see that from the amount of guys that we got in the top 25 at the finish today, which is great to see. It’s been a great race for us as a team and it’s something both staff and riders, those working hard back at our HQ and behind the scenes can be really proud of.”