Cycling: Surprise at the Vuelta a Espana! Oscar Rodriguez (Euskadi) won stage 13 of the Tour of Spain. The Spanish professional of the wildcard team proved to be the strongest climber in the breakaway group and left none other than Rafal Majka (Bora-hansgrohe) on the final climb. The red jersey was defended by Jesus Herrada (Cofidis).
Oscar Rodriguez creates the sensation
On the 174,8 kilometer long 13th stage from Candás to Alto de La Camperona, today's Vuelta a Espana focused on the climbers. The final ascent began quite humanely, but then got steeper and steeper. The pros had to master up to 24 percent. A breakaway group with 32 riders at the beginning was allowed to drive into the last ramp of the day with a lead of almost four minutes. Since there were numerous top climbers in the leading group, the stage win in the Tour of Spain should once again go to the fugitives. The German team Bora-hansgrohe was represented by three professionals. Jay McCarthy and Marcus Burghardt worked hard for Rafal Mayka. The Pole was able to shake off all his companions with a well-considered attack – only Dylan teuns (BMC) was able to follow him. But then the laughing third party rejoiced: Oscar Rodriguez (Euskadi) slowly came back up and immediately attacked. Nobody could follow him. At the age of 23, the Spaniard celebrates the greatest success of his career. No wonder, because it was his first professional victory - and right on a Grand Tour.
Simon Yates & Nairo Quintana Strongest - With Miguel Angel Lopez?
The peloton had no interest in winning the stage. The focus was on the battle for the overall standings. Simon Yates (Mitchelton-Scott) clamped his team, leaving the leader Jesus Herrada (Cofidis) lost touch and the group of favorites got smaller meter by meter. Almost unnoticed and without any real attack Nairo Quintana (Movistar) and Simon yates (Mitchelton-Scott). Although they couldn't take the red jersey from Jesus Herrada, the Spaniard lost a lot of time today. Emmanuel Buchman (Bora-hansgrohe) finished just behind the group of favorites, out of which Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) gained a few more seconds. Miguel Angel Lopez (Astana) was particularly unlucky: The Colombian suffered a technical defect and had to get off his bike in one of the steepest sections. Still, he fought back and contained the damage. Therefore it can be assumed that together with Yates and Quintana he is the strongest man in the mountains.
¡BRUTAL la victoria de @O_Rodgar de @MuriasTeam in the Camperona!
En @Alpe__dHuez I was super nervous and wrote something that was negligible.#LaVuelta18 pic.twitter.com/RvSlwQxS3c
— Pedro (@Pedriove) September 7, 2018