Today everything just went perfectly for us today, from the start we were flying and we rode strongly throughout. At the first and only time check we were leading by 9 seconds from Sky, with the development team looking strong in third just 10 seconds back, they've come here with a genuine overall contender in Joe Nally and Stephen dent, who have both proved there talent in the Tour of Poland. At the finish we crossed the line and beat the current best time of Lotto by 43 seconds, which we were happy with, then we watched as Orica and OPQS both came home over 20 seconds back, so we knew we had done a good time. then the development team came home just 17 seconds back, which was amazing as there all young guys. Then the final team home was Sky who came in 3rd 24 seconds back. Our win meant that Jensie got the lead in his Final Grand Tour as next year he'll be a DS for us after his retirement. We're going to try and keep him in the jersey for as long as possible, so tomorrow we'll be out fighting to keep it.



Sadly today Jens lost the lead to caleb who came home in 5th place today, but he was no match for Richie Allen who is riding for the Development team. Today he was led out perfectly by Ben Moody and Stephen dent as he took a dominant win ahead of Boasson Hagen and Bouhanni. Today we decided to keep the break in toe, so that Caleb could have a chance of the stage win, we managed to do that but in the final kilometre we were swamped by the Development team, who gave Richie a perfect lead out, so yeah it was great for us to see the young guys win, but we wished we could of got the final win.





Today we wanted to get a guy in the break as we knew it could go all the way, sadly we lost Caleb early as after he lost time after puncturing on the very first climb of the day. We managed to put Jensie in the break, after an early attack from Teo was caught. The finale was the same as a couple of years a go, but that didn't give us any benefit. With 1.5 kilometres to go we hit the climb, and immediately Porte attack and due to the not very steep nature it meant that we had no chance of getting back to him as he hit the flat with a gap. I managed to get across the line for second in the same time, meaning I took the overall lead, which I'm happy with as we want to try and keep it in the team for the whole race.





Today the stage went absolutely perfectly for us, We got the stage and we kept the GC lead, so yeah we're all happy. We decided to put Ion in the break, so that he could pick up the KoM points and as the stage was finishing in his home town, we wanted to try and get him the win at home, as the break was likely to say away. The gap got pretty big with Ion working with Spilak to build up a nice 11 minute lead, but by the top of the final climb the gap was a minute to our group. Over the top I was distanced slightly but then I closed and we all worked to close on to the back of Rodriguez. In the final kilometre I just rode home in the bunch, as I knew that Ion would take the lead as he was high on GC before the stage, so that's great for us.



Today the Development team did it again, I think over the course of these two sprint stages, they've proved they deserve to be in this race as they did another perfect lead out. In the finale Simon managed to latch onto the back of Allen, but he said afterwards he just didn't have it to come round the flying 20 year old, who seems to be the next big thing, so I'm glad that next year he should be joining us if all goes well.





I'm happy with today we rode as well as we could and we kept the jersey, so you can't ask for much more. I'm happy for Schar to get the stage as he's a great guy and last year he showed how strong and hard working he is, so it's great to see him get a breakaway win. For us we rode the only climb of the day at a hard pace to keep the group together, and we managed that, then in the sprint Simon managed to lead the bunch home, and I managed to get myself a top 10 which is always good.





Today was seen to be an easy day for us, we let the break go. The best placed on GC was Wellens at 20 minutes back so we didn't have to chase, meaning we could leav it to MTN and the Development team as they had the two best sprinters in Boasson Hagen and Richie Allen. There was a second category climb with 50 kilometres to go, so we decided to go to the front and to try and split it up, which we were able to do, meaning we pulled away with 8 guys, as well as the 6 main favoruites. Behind the group hesitated and we pulled out a 1 minute lead, which we rode hard to try and maintain. However we managed to distance Porte, so we pressed on hard, but Allen was able to ride back into the group, but we kept the pace high as Porte was still behind.





Today we knew would be a hard day as the break went early and the technical nature of the course meant that it suited a break, we put Mikel in the break as we knew that it would give us someone who was strong enough to take the stage and the jersey for a couple of days. In the finale Ion was distanced, but Mikel didn't quite have enough to get the jersey so that meant I took it. I was able to hold onto Rodriguez and Schleck who pulled away from the other favourites and we pulled out a 30 second gap on the other riders. It means I'm now leading by a minute and a half, and I think I could potentially hold it as the race suits me a lot.

Today was a hard day on the bike, we sent Simon up the road to try and get the win and the jersey, but it didn't work out and we caught him with 5 kilometres to go. In the finale we neutralised any attacks from the favourites, but that did in turn meant chasing down Simon, but we knew we had to chase them. In the final sprint Roche led me out until 500 metres to go, then I made my move and managed to hold off the rest of the riders, with Roche coming home 2nd and Teo in 3rd.



Today we let the break go, and that was the end of that. In the final kilometre Kwiatkowski tried an attack, but I followed his wheel and we managed to get 7th on the stage. The Development team did amazing today, with them getting 3 riders in the top 10, which is quite impressive. Up front Gautier won the sprint from the break as Herrada came home 2nd and Hansen came home 3rd. Behind Bellis attacked with 5 kilometres to go, and was able to hold off the bunch for 4th.





Today the team rode perfectly for me, they sat back all day and saved their legs, then when the favourites started attacking they went to the front and set a hard tempo on the front. Then with 4 kilometres to go I managed to pull away with Nico, who sacrificed himself and we started to pull away, then in the final kilometre I went for it and managed to pull out a 49 second gap on Schleck and the main favourites. It was great as Nico held on for second and we had all our main guys towards the front of the bunch.



Today was a simple day for us, we let the break go and nobody bothered to chase it. Today I decided to have a crack at the sprint as I'm not to far away from the points jersey, so any points matter. It was a strange sprint as it was up a 7% hill, which meant it suited me better, and I was able to pick up 3rd in the sprint meaning I got 4th on the stage. Although I couldn't of done it without Simon and Caleb, who led me out until the foot of the climb, which meant I was in the perfect position before the sprint even started.



Today the sprint was another uphill affair, which meant that I was out points hunting again. We controlled the race with the Development team and in the finale we went head to head with them as Caleb lead me out and Joe was led out by Richie Allen. We both went for it with 300 metres to go as the gradient hit 10%. Joe started his sprint slightly ahead of me and I couldn't quite get past him before the line. Behind Richie Allen managed to hold on for 3rd , with Boasson Hagen and Bouhanni struggling home in 4th and 5th.





Today we controlled the race very well, Simon went in the early break and managed to get second on the stage as he said afterwards that he went to early and Craddock was able to catch and pass him before the line. Behind we sat in until the foot of the final climb where I attacked with Kwiatkoski chasing after me, but in the final kilometre I was able to distance him and come home 4th on the stage, meaning I took over the lead in the points jersey, and extended my lead at the top of the GC.

Today the stage couldn't of gone any better for me. Although people are saying that I'm getting an easy ride as none of he favourites are here, I have to say i still have to work hard for the win, it's not my fault that they chose not to race here, but Andy Schleck is here and he won the Giro so it shows that a strong field is still here. The guys today set me up perfectly they rode hard to keep the other riders in toe, and then I went for it with 3 kilometres to go, managing to pull out a one minute gap on the other riders, I'm glad to get the win on the first real mountains stage as it shows I'm in command and that this race is really mine to lose now, but of course there's a long way to go, but sure I'm happy with where I am right now.





Today on the final climb I just had nothing left in the tank. I punctured on the descent of the penultimate climb, meaning I had to chase hard to get back on using a bike that didn't fit me. Then when the attacks started with 3 kilometres to go I just couldn't follow them. Up ahead Andy Schleck took the stage 9 second ahead of Armstrong and 22 ahead of Rodriguez. I managed to limit my losses to 1 minute and 42 seconds, which still left me with a good buffer overall, but everyone was now closer to me.



Today I rode my heart out and gave absolutely everything, but I couldn't match Joe, who is a lot better suited to flat time trials than I am. At the first time check I was 10 seconds behind him in 6th place, so I knew I was in for a hard day, then in the final few kilometres I started to tie up and came home 8th just over 30 seconds down. Simon did a solid ride despite having a chest infection to come home in 12th, but he knew he wasn't going for the stage win as he suffered a lot yesterday. Lofkvist came home second just 1 second behind Armstrong, with Kwiatkiwski 3rd at 15 seconds. Nico did a great ride today to come home 5th and solidify his 7th overall, which is a great result for him.



Today was just like any other stage for me, I rode easy in the bunch and then tried to set Caleb up in the finale, but the break was well up the road, as all the favourites teams were tired after the last few days. Richie Allen led home the sprint just ahead of team mate Nally and Bouhanni.



Niki Terpstra took the win as we all tried to prepare for tomorrow, which is going to be the final key day on this years race. We let an 8 man group go early, and then a 2 man group went with 80 kilometres to go, but they didn't catch the break. Up ahead Terpstra came off Wellens' wheel with 100 metres to go to take the win by a wheel. Behind Simon picked up 5th in the bunch sprint behind Ben Moody, who was given his chance to see what he could do in the sprint after Allen crashed in the final 2 kilometres.



Today we wanted the break to go away to take the KoM points to try and defend the lead in that competition, which we were able to just do, meaning Simon took the KoM jersey for the second year running. Behind we monitored any attacks and then in the final kilometre I was able to sprint away from Kelderman to gain a couple of seconds, but otherwise the main favourites all finished together behind me. Nico managed to hold 7th overall, coming home with 20 seconds to spare on Kelderman. Up ahead Chaves took a breakaway win after attacking with 8 kilometres to go, just managing to hold off Ulissi who caught Chaves in the final 50 metres of the stage. Sergio Henao came home 3rd, after taking enough mountains points to move up to 3rd in the classification. Tomorrow we're going to see if we can top a great race off with a final day sprint win.





Elinor arrived at the race this morning to see the final stage of the race this year, as by the end of the day I should of taken my second Vuelta a Espana title. Of course we are newly engaged after I proposed to her on the podium of the Tour De France, so it was great to have her here with me. As this was Jens' last day of a grand tour we ae got him to go in the break for one final hurrah, and he didn't disappoint getting in a 6 man group that went away early. Jens then attacked with 8 kilometres to go and was caught just 300 metres from the line after what would of been the perfect finish to his career. The attack meant Jens picked up the most combative rider prize for the stage and the race, so that was a brilliant way to finish his career, getting a prize for what he's good at. In the sprint Michael Matthews won after Simon hesitated before launching his sprint, meaning he came home 5th, with Tim Wellens a surprise 2nd and Richie allen in 3rd after being boxed with 500 metres to go. After i crossed the line I found Elinor and she was crying, I was amzed how much my win meant to her, but it was great to have her here on a great day for me. That makes this Vuelta win Number 2!

Final GC Results

Rank	Name	Team	Time
1	Adam Yates	McLaren Honda	83h04'53
2	Thomas Löfkvist	Orica GreenEdge	+ 4'52
3	Andy Schleck	Trek Factory Racing	+ 5'48
4	Joseph Armstrong	McLaren Honda Development Team	+ 6'54
5	Michal Kwiatkowski	Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team	+ 7'16
6	Joaquím Rodríguez	Team Katusha	+ 9'51
7	Nicolas Roche	McLaren Honda	+ 11'11
8	Wilco Kelderman	Belkin-Pro Cycling Team	+ 11'37
9	Richie Porte	Team Sky	+ 12'14
10	Joe Nally	McLaren Honda Development Team	+ 15'55

Today was another great day for me, my legs were amazing and I felt like I was riding on clouds. The course was a slightly hilly with about 20 kilometres out of the 60 being uphill, so I knew that I was in a perfect situation. At the first time check I was 10 seconds ahead of Phinney with Cancellara in 3rd. However I knew that the majority of the first section was uphill, so I was worried that once it flattened out they'd catch me up. At the second check after 25 kilometres of mainly flat ground I had somehow pulled out my lead to 20 seconds over Phinney with Cancellara at 30 seconds, then we hit the slow climb to the finish, so I hit it as hard as I could and by the finish line Ivan in the car told me I'd beaten Phinney by 51 seconds, with Cancellara at 1 minute. To take my second world title is just a dream come true for me, and I can't quite believe it.

Results

Rank	Name	Team	Time
1	Adam Yates	McLaren Honda	51'31
2	Taylor Phinney	BMC Racing Team	+ 51
3	Fabian Cancellara	Trek Factory Racing	+ 1'01
4	Richie Porte	Team Sky	+ 1'15
5	Simon Yates	McLaren Honda	+ 1'37
6	Tom Dumoulin	Team Giant - Shimano	+ 1'54
7	Tony Martin	McLaren Honda	+ 2'15
8	Edvald Boasson Hagen	MTN - Qhubeka	+ 2'33
9	Adriano Malori	Movistar Team	+ 2'44
10	Nicolas Roche	McLaren Honda	+ 2'50

Today my role was to monitor any attacks in the mid part of the race, as the course was pan flat our leader for the day was Mark Cavendish, as he's the best sprinter in the world, do we brought a team that was perfect for leading Mark out in the final few kilometres. Simon's job was to watch Cancellara or the riders that were likely to attack in the final few kilometres as he is a good sprinter from a small group. We decided to put Armstrong in the break, so that if it stayed away we would still have a potential winner. Although we never expected for the break to stay away, but with 50 kilometres to go we had to start to chase as the break had a 15 minute lead. From then on we knew it would be touch and go as to whether we would catch them. Joe attacked the break with 10 kilometres to go, and never looked back, I mean he's such a young guy and he's already a world champion, what an absolute star. Behind we gave Cav the perfect lead out, but it didn't work out for him as Swifty led the bunch home with Cav just behind Boasson Hagen.

Rank	Name	Team	Time
1	Joseph Armstrong	McLaren Honda Development Team	5h38'39
2	Bob Jungels	Trek Factory Racing	+ 2'41
3	Fabio Silvestre	Trek Factory Racing	+ 3'33
4	Jeffrey Romero	Colombia	s.t.
5	Ben Swift	McLaren Honda	+ 7'22
6	Edvald Boasson Hagen	MTN - Qhubeka	s.t.
7	Mark Cavendish	Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team	s.t.
8	Peter Sagan	Tinkoff - Saxo	s.t.
9	Nacer Bouhanni	FDJ.fr	s.t.
10	Tony Gallopin	McLaren Honda	s.t.

Today we have Joseph Armstrong guesting for us, after his impressive Worlds win, an we are hoping that he'll do a good ride. We decided to let him do what he wants as he's such a strong rider. He asked us to control the race until the first big climb of the race, so we agreed and duly did it. Then he attacked, and I mean it was to early for the win, but he wanted to show off the jersey, and when he attacked he opened a big gap very quickly, which was very impressive as he had a huge kick on him. We ended up catching him with 20 kilometres to go, but by that time the group was only 15 riders. On the final climb of the day I attacked over the top after neutralising the attacks of the other riders, from then on we were in the driving seat, with Simon picking up second in the sprint as I was able to hold off the rest of the riders to take my first Monument win.

This years nationals were going to be very interesting for us as they'd managed to find a course that took in some of the cobbled roads around Yorkshire, which meant that the race was very specific, so we decided that the break was likely to stay away as their aren't many teams who would want to control a day like this. So we decided to put little Alfie George in the break as 11 riders went away early, so we kind of knew we wouldn't be seeing them again. Due to the difficult nature of the route it was always going to be a very broken up race come the end, so we just sat back and waited to see what happened. The break gained a big gap as expected and we weren't able to catch them back. In the finale McLay showed his strength in the sprint as he easily beat Alfie and Chris Opie who took 3rd. Behind Simon led home the rest of the riders in 12th after attacking with 30 kilometres to go. I managed to get myself home for 16th, which I was very happy about. The time trial was won by Chris Froome, as we had no response to his great ride, but I did everything I could to beat him and I wasn't able to succeed so there was nothing more I could do.

Seen as this year we've decided to take a larger focus on sprinting today was a big stage for us, we had Richie for the sprint, and in the finale it looked like we'd get the win as we were leading into the final kilometre, but we were over taken by Giant with 400 metres to go, and Richie wasn't able to get past me, which meant I took 4th on the stage that puts me in a good place for tomorrows uphill finish, so I'm looking forward to that.

Today was a great day for me, the team set me up, and I was able to hold the gap to the bunch that I was able to take in the final few kilometres. I attacked to counter the move of Rui Costa, and I was able to hold off the bunch to take the stage and the jersey. I'm very happy with my ride as we showed our team strength today, and I was able to take the jersey with a good lead.

This sprint stage was going to be another important day for us as Kittel was only 32 seconds down, so we had to make sure that we got ahead of hi in the finale. Coming into the sprint we were able to lead Richie to the front, but he didn't have the kick to beat Matthews who took a home win. Richie managed to take 5th, but we beat Kittel so we're all happy. Second was taken Omar Hussein of Project Africa, so its great to see them up there in their first big race.

Today it was Villella that took the stage win, after I wasn't able to catch him before the line after he attacked with 3 kilometres to go. I was able to finish on the same time as Villella, but he closed the gap on the overall to 26 seconds, so I'll have to make sure that I don't lose anymore time as that can be gained on Willunga quite easily.

The team were great today, they controlled the bunch all day and made sure the break didn't get to far away, they then set me up for the final climb, where I just couldn't match Martin and Gesink, but I was able to ride myself onto the same time, so I kept the GC lead. I was also able to extend my lead to 30 seconds going into tomorrow's final stage, so I should be able to keep the lead tomorrow.

Bellis won the final stage as I sealed the overall win, to cap a great week of racing for the team.