Hugh Carthy (EF Pro Cycling), who will be third overall in Sunday's Vuelta a España, fought to the end to upset his rivals on stage 17 and earn his first Grand Tour podium finish.

The 26-year-old Englishman, who won the Angliru six days earlier, tried to attack Richard Kalapas (Ineos Grenadiers) and Primoš Roglic (Jumbo Visma) in the time trial in Covatilla, the last summit finish of the Vuelta on Tuesday He was the first GC candidate to attempt to do so.

However, the strong headwind in Covatilla severely limited his options. Said Carty later, "It was kind of hopeless." Karthy finally shook off Roglic with 2 km to go after Calapaz had cleared.

Sandwiched between Calapaz and Roglic, Carty finished 15 seconds ahead of Ineos Grenadiers and 6 seconds ahead of Jumbo Visma; third place by 47 seconds was assured, and he considered it a landmark performance that would motivate him to GC.

"My career has changed a lot. I want to try a Grand Tour in the future," Kersey told reporters after the race.

"I don't want to stop now and with the team I have now, I'm in the perfect place to fight those races. I can rely on great support from the team and there are a lot of opportunities coming up."

"I'm looking forward to the next few races," he said after the race.

Kersey admitted that the final climb in Covatilla was not straightforward, but insisted that he was very happy with the result of the Vuelta a España.

"The headwind was against me, but I had to try and attack something to improve my position in the GC. In the end, it was a bit hopeless, but I gave it a go. Overall, I'm very happy and satisfied with the results of the last three weeks."