By David Polkinghorne
Dimension Data cyclist Nathan Haas is hoping his stage-four victory in the Vuelta a Burgos points towards a first stage win at a grand tour.
Canberran Haas will ride in the Vuelta a Espana, which starts on August 20, and he was hopeful this win would be the catalyst in the third-and-final grand tour race of the year.
Stage four was one the 27-year-old targeted going into the race.
"Vuelta a Burgos has been a fantastic opportunity for us, the group that is going to the Vuelta a Espana, to come together and really create a good energy," Haas said.
"The last three days we have had some absolutely fantastic moments and we've also had some misfortune, which is probably why we hadn't had a victory yet this week.
"Today the team committed for me, which is a responsibility I take very seriously. I don't ask to lead a race unless I think I can win it.
"So a huge thanks to the guys for believing in me and I think the way we are working here is really exciting coming into the Vuelta a Espana. I think we will see something pretty exciting in the next month."