Cycling: Alessandro De Marchi (Cannondale) secured the seventh stage of the Vuelta a Espana in Alcaudete. The Italian won as a soloist ahead of his former escape companions Ryder Hesjedal (Garmin-Sharp) and Hugo Dupont (Ag2R-La Mondiale). There were no changes in the overall rating.
After a hectic start to the 196-kilometer stage, Hesjedal managed to break away from the field together with Johan Tschopp (BMC). Both were eventually joined by De Marchi and Dupont. The peloton let the quartet have its way and in the final the overall favorite was not interested in closing the gap.
The stage final then brought tension due to various events. First, Hesjedal fell 15 kilometers before the finish, but was able to quickly catch up again – with a new bike. The fall happened right in front of a TV motorcycle, which was unable to avoid it and ran over the Canadian's bike.
At first the escape companions waited for Hesjedal. However, when he struggled to get back up on one of the small climbs in the finale, De Marchi escaped to the front with 12 kilometers to go. With success.
At the finish line, the Italian steadily increased his lead to over a minute.
Just behind Hesjedal, Dupont and Tschopp, Philippe Gilbert (BMC) led the peloton across the finish line, in which Briton Chris Froome (Sky) managed to take three seconds off his closest rival.
Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) continues to lead the overall standings ahead of his teammate Nairo Quintana and Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo).
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