It’s the penultimate GC stage and today everyone will hae to climb on its own – it’s a MTT! The list of favourites equals the GC top 10.
We skip the first 90-ish riders and begin our coverage with Ciccone, who is both a good climber and a decent TTer, the latter being important for the first part of the stage given the times at the only split. He sets a time of 41’00.
This time is beaten by several riders, but Kämna is the first one to make a real difference with a time of 40’06.
The German is in the lead for a long time. Foss is the first rider to beat him at the split and sets a new best time: 39’45.
Novak is already way behind at the split and loses 1’25 in the end.
Faglum Karlsson is a bit faster, but also loses 36’’.
Stüssi beats the leader’s time at the split. He’s also the new leader at the finish with a time of 39’36.
Amezawa finishes 1’14 down.
Choi is quite a bit faster and the new leader at the split – and at the finish! He’s 10’’ faster the, setting the time to beat at 39’25.
Aular is 38’’ behind in the end.
Wellens loses 25‘‘.
Galta is provisional 3rd at the finish, being 11’’ down.
Sivakov beats everyone else (at least for now) at both the split and the finish: 38’54.
Dombrowski is a bit behind in the flatter part. He loses some more seconds in the actual climb and is 3rd for now, 31’’ behind.
Bernal uses his superior TT skill to set the new best split time by quite a margin. He nearly passes the American in front of him in the end, setting the new best time in 38’11.
Morton is 21’’ behind at the split. Will he lose the red jersey today? He does! He loses 22’’ today, so in addition he’ll need a gap to gain the GC lead back tomorrow. We’re in for a crucial and exciting final stage!
Congratulations to Bernal for taking his second stage win and retaking the red jersey!
[PTM] Vuelta a España 
