Cycling: Sander Armée (Lotto Soudal) has just won the 18th stage of the Vuelta a España. He broke away shortly before the final climb together with Alexey Lutsenko (Astana) from a 20-strong breakaway group. Only about ten minutes later did the first favorites cross the finish line. Also present: Chris Froome (Sky)! The Brit presented himself much better than yesterday and again took some time from Vincenzo Nibali (Bahrain-Merida).
Armée prevails against Lutsenko
On the way from Suances to Santo Toribio de Liébana we had to cover 169 kilometers today. Due to the undulating profile, but not too difficult climbs, it was not unlikely that a breakaway would get through. This assumption was quickly confirmed. 20 men broke away, from which Alexey Lutsenko (Astana) and Sander Armée (Lotto Soudal) were able to break away shortly before the final climb. On the last climb, both fought a duel for the day's victory because they successfully kept Giovanni Visconti (Bahrain-Merida), who was coming closer and closer behind them, at a distance. Ultimately, the Belgian Armée proved to be the stronger of the two. In doing so, he won his first stage in a Grand Tour and continues Lotto Soudal's positive run at the Vuelta a España.
An attack at the right moment brings @SanderArmee the stage win. 🏁🚴…🚴🔻 # LV2017 pic.twitter.com/mowqcJewqd
— Tour de France – DE (@letour_de) September 7, 2017
Froome answers Nibali
Around ten minutes behind the breakaway group, the field of favorites was about the overall ranking. After yesterday, many experts expected a more exciting Vuelta a España. But Chris Froome (Sky) didn't do them the favor. His team first picked up Ilnur Zakarin (Katusha-Alpecin) after he tried to escape with half his team. Fabio Aru (Astana), on the other hand, was allowed to play. However, he was unable to save his lead of almost two minutes over the line. In the end, the Italian Froome took 12 seconds off. Again Alberto Contador (Trek-Segafredo) presented himself offensively. But today Froome had everything under control. Unlike Vincenzo Nibali (Bahrain-Merida). While the Italian managed to gain over 40 seconds yesterday, he lost 21 seconds today. In the overall classification, the drivers are moving closer together again in the battle for second and third place. The race to catch up with Chris Froome seems to have stopped for the time being.
.@chrisfroom with a little revenge for yesterday. Only @Alberto counter and @rusty_woods can follow. # LV2017 pic.twitter.com/fQ7GlWls8H
— Tour de France – DE (@letour_de) September 7, 2017
Vuelta a España stage #18 daily classification
Tour Locations | Driver | Country | Team | Time |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Sander Army | Belgium | Lotto Soudal | 4:09:39 |
2. | alexey lutsenko | Kazakhstan | Astana | + 0: 31 |
3. | Giovanni Visconti | Italy | Bahrain-Merida | + 0: 46 |
- | - | - | - | - |
20. | Fabio Arau | Italy | Astana | + 9: 56 |
21. | Alberto counter | Spain | Trek-Segafredo | + 10: 08 |
23. | Chris Froome | Great Britain | Sky | st |
24. | wilco kelderman | Netherlands | Sunweb | + 10: 12 |
25. | Ilnur Zakarin | Russia | Katusha Alpecin | st |
28. | Vincenzo Nibali | Italy | Bahrain-Merida | + 10: 29 |
Vuelta a España stage #18 general classification
Tour Locations | Driver | Country | Team | Time |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Chris Froome | Great Britain | Sky | 72:03:50 |
2. | Vincenzo Nibali | Italy | Bahrain-Merida | + 1: 37 |
3. | wilco kelderman | Netherlands | Sunweb | + 2: 17 |
4. | Ilnur Zakarin | Russia | Katusha Alpecin | + 2: 29 |
5. | Alberto counter | Spain | Trek-Segafredo | + 3: 34 |
6. | Miguel Angel Lopez | Colombia | Astana | + 5: 16 |
7. | Michael Woods | Canada | Cannondale Drapac | + 6: 33 |
8. | Fabio Arau | Italy | Astana | st |
9. | Wout poels | Netherlands | Sky | + 6: 47 |
10. | Steven Kruijswijk | Netherlands | LottoNL Jumbo | + 10: 26 |
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