Nicolas Roche has claimed the leader's red jersey at the Vuelta a Espana, finishing second in today's second stage.
He finished five seconds behind stage winner Nairo Quintana, and now holds a two second advantage over the field.
❤️ Clasificación tras la etapa 2 | GC after stage 2
📊 Top 10
+ info ➡️ https://t.co/7s84I3FjHm pic.twitter.com/hYqC9kTHHE— La Vuelta (@lavuelta) August 25, 2019
Speaking to Eurosport after the race, Roche admitted he felt he got lucky during today's stage, but was delighted to claim the red jersey:
I just thought about a stage victory, I didn't really think about the jersey to be honest. Quintana anticipated and went at the right moment, we followed him.
I tried to do my best in the sprint, but I'm really happy with the jersey of course. It's the second time in my career that I'm wearing the red jersey, so I'm happy...
Two seconds isn't a huge gap, is it? But I'll try to do my best to keep it as long as possible.
The last time I lost it in the mountains, so I'm going to try and be vigilant to keep it here.
Roche claimed the red jersey on one previous, after the second stage of the 2015 edition of the event. He would go on to finish in sixth place overall.
