Mountain stage number 3. Col de Marie Blanque, Col de Soudet, Col de Bagargui and the Pic de Beilurti. And while
UBS hunt for a 3rd consecutive stage win, all the focus is on our race leader Damiano Cunego. He has been untouchable on the climbs so far. But still, his lead over Pluchkin is just 26 seconds - and the downhill finish today may not suit Cunego's uphill prowess.
4th overall Angel Madrazo did not win the first two mountain stages of the Vuelta, yet still dominated, so perhaps he is about to step up now - the stage finish is just 8km away from the Spanish border afterall, so a perfect opportunity for him to win as his home fans cross the border to watch. Spilak, Dekker and all the others cannot be forgotten either, but no point making the preview too long!
After seeing breakaway success two days running, theres lots of interest early on today.
J. Libert
L. Ten Dam
R. Kreuziger
J. RodrÃguez
R. Margaliot
M. Öste-Macdonald
S. Cohnen
J. Tschopp
M. Paterski
C. Rojas Villegas
F. Matamoros
C. Meier
But Cafe de Colombia arent letting them ride away as we hit the Col de Marie Blanque. Perez Sanchez on the front, with Cunego 2nd wheel, really stretching things.
Mini-splits form - so a bad time for Colombian climber Henao Montoya to lose balance and crash!
This video highlights the stretched out nature of the race:
Just 8 of the attackers remain going over the top - their advantage at 50 seconds.
L. Ten Dam
J. RodrÃguez
R. Margaliot
M. Öste-Macdonald
S. Cohnen
J. Tschopp
C. Rojas Villegas
C. Meier
1
J. RodrÃguez
2
C. Meier
3
J. Tschopp
4
C. Rojas Villegas
5
M. Öste-Macdonald
Perez Sanchez has had his share of crashes this race so isnt keen on continuing his efforts by launching down the descents. Instead it is Jayco Red Bull on the front - they've missed the break, and their manager is not happy.
But the pace isnt going to be maintained in the peloton. The breakaway is away. The peloton regroups from 92 to 158. Henao includes amongst those regaining contact.
Intermediate sprint:
1
C. Rojas Villegas
2
C. Meier
3
L. Ten Dam
Lead is up to 8 minutes at the top of the Col de Soudet. Stage 9 winner Johan Tschopp leads them over. Meanwhile, Morabito randomly decided to go clear of the peloton for the very few points on offer for 9th. Its not a move he keeps going.
1
J. Tschopp
2
C. Rojas Villegas
3
M. Öste-Macdonald
4
C. Meier
5
J. RodrÃguez
6
S. Cohnen
7
L. Ten Dam
8
R. Margaliot
9
S. Morabito
First they missed the break, now theyre getting dropped. Calzati is a surprise to be out the back so early, along with Priamo, and Giaux and a few others.
The Cote de Larrau passes without incident.
1
J. RodrÃguez
2
J. Tschopp
3
C. Rojas Villegas
Onto the Col de Bagargui, and before the summit, Ten Dam is dropped.
1
C. Rojas Villegas
2
J. RodrÃguez
3
J. Tschopp
4
M. Öste-Macdonald
5
C. Meier
6
R. Margaliot
7
S. Cohnen
2'40 after the break, are two attackers from the peloton.
J. Rodriguez Oliver
M. Samwel
The break are a further 3 minutes back - 5'46 down on the breakaway with 61km to go.
Two riders crashed from the peloton in the descent in separate incidents.
C. Mai
JA. Pecharroman
In the valley, Samwel and Rodriguez Oliver pick up Ten Dam. 31km to go, they are 1'36 behind the breakaway and 2'45 ahead of the peloton.
Now to 24km to go. The climb hasnt started yet, but that doesnt matter to some. Madrazo attacks! Followed by Van der Hugenhaben.
The Col de Beillurti begins, and Madrazo has a 1 minute headstart!
Pluchkin now makes his move.
Siutsou tries to go next. A bit pointless as he doesnt go far - but people do counter him. Popovych, Marquez, Dekker ... and Cunego.
Madrazo climbs past Samwel and Rodriguez, and attacks as he reaches the break, while Cunego is actively in pursuit and now infront of Pluchkin.
Marquez continues his impressive start to the race by just clinging on to Cunego - more than Popovych or Dekker could manage, who have caught Van de Hugenhaben at least. They do have 50 seconds on the peloton though, which Spilak and Uran are now attacking.
Amador and Phinney also join this move.
Cunego, Pluchkin, Marquez, Samwel and Rodriguez are with the remains of the breakaway. Madrazo is in sight - but 1'20 away.
This is Madrazo's big chance - and he pushes the lead up to 1'30.
Popovych, Amador, Dekker, Spilak, Uran and Phinney are a further 1 minute behind the Cunego/Pluchkin group.
Theres another minute to Kashechkin, Martin and Trofimov.
Madrazo's lead of 1'30 puts him in the race lead - and sensing Pluchkin may be on his limit, Cunego attacks.
Pluchkin just watches the Italian ride away - and may soon have company. The chasing group are just 35 seconds behind now.
Dan Martin is looking to get on terms with them after waiting too long, similarly Gadret. And while van der Hugenhaben drops back, his team leader Trofimov is really having to fight hard. He tried to go with the rest, but couldnt, and this is his first real bad stage of the race.
Pluchkin pushes his and Marquez' advantage on the chasers to 45 seconds, but Cunego is now 40 seconds away. Pluchkin needs to get back at him to stay in close touch for the race overall, and he duly attacks.
It's the summit for Madrazo
A. Madrazo
+ 1'16
D. Cunego
+ 1'53
A. Pluchkin
+ 2'04
F. Marquez
+ 2'53
J. Popovych
T. Dekker
A. Amador
R. Úran
S. Spilak
T. Phinney
+ 3'48
J. Gadret
C. Rojas Villegas
J. RodrÃguez
M. Öste-Macdonald
J. Rodriguez Oliver
M. Samwel
D. Martin
+ 4'22
A. Kashechkin
Y. Trofimov
+ 4'30
R. van der Hugenhaben
+ 4'48
R. Taaramäe
SL. Henao Montoya
M. Ardila
V. Karpets
+ 5'14
K. Siutsou
+ 6'02
D. Cataldo
Y. Delgado
P. Velits
+ 6'20
M. Keizer
FJ. Terciado
S. Chavanel
Its a downhill fight to the line.
Cunego is really fighting for his jersey on the descent. Madrazo may have won the climb, but downhill is another matter - lead reduced to 1 minute.
The other impressive descent is coming from John Gadret. The French champion has dropped the group he crossed the summit with.
That is a group which has now been caught by Trofimov and Kashechkin.
Now for the closing stages:
A well-deserved victory for Angel Madrazo
2nd for Cunego. He's cut the gap to 41 seonds by the line and keeps the Yellow jersey.
Over 1 minute later, despite being caught by Marquez on the descent, Pluchkin takes 3rd place. 1'49 lost to Madrazo is not good news for the Moldovan, but it could be worse.
Popovych wins the sprint for 4th - at 2'43.
A superb descent by Gadret puts him in at 3'10. 47 seconds better than the group he was with at the top, which is led in by Trofimov. The early race leader is still in the Top 5 overall, but can be under no illusions that the mountains will be easy for him.
