Cycling: Rui Costa won the 15th stage of the Vuelta a Espana. The Portuguese prevailed in the 3-man sprint ahead of Lennard Kämna and Santiago Buitrago. This means he also wins a section of the Vuelta a Espana for the first time after three tour stages.
Costa plays poker – and wins
Too bad: almost did Lennard Kamna (Bora – hansgrohe) won his second stage at this year’s Vuelta a Espana. A few kilometers from the finish, the German already looked like the sure winner when he was able to lose his two companions, but then fell on the downhill. There Santiago Buitrago (Bahrain – Victorious) and Rui Costa (Intermarché - Circus - Wanty) but didn't harmonize, the German actually came close again. In the sprint for the day's victory, however, he was inferior to the Portuguese by a crucial centimeter. This means that Rui Costa, who will soon be 37, wins his first stage at a Vuelta a Espana, after having already become a road world champion in his career and having won three stages in the Tour de France.
Evenepoel defends his mountain jersey
At the beginning of the 158,3km stage from Pamplona to Lekunberri, the peloton saw a tremendously high pace as many teams wanted to be part of the breakaway today. Ultimately, 15 men were able to break away, including again Remco Evenepoel (Soudal – Quick-Step) and the two Germans Nico Denz (Bora – hansgrohe) and Lennard Kamna (Bora – hansgrohe). In the final climb, the Colombian was able to hold his own Santiago Buitrago (Bahrain – Victorious) and the Portuguese Rui Costa (Intermarché – Circus – Wanty) from the escape group. Lennard Kämna finally closed the gap over the crest and turned the duo into a trio.
Rui Costa (Intermarché-Circus-Wanty) at stage 15 of the Vuelta in Spain 2023 #LaVuelta23 #Noticiclismo #ciclismo pic.twitter.com/Brjned7tbf
— NotiCiclismo ➡ #LaVuelta23 (@Noticiclismo1) September 10, 2023