Cycling: Michael Woods has won the 13th stage of the Vuelta a Espana. The Canadian champion won from a breakaway group and thus celebrated his third stage victory in the Tour of Spain after 2018 and 2020. In the battle for overall victory, Ben O'Connor continued to lose ground to Primoz Roglic and Marc Soler.
Michael Woods climbs to day victory
For the third time in his career, Michael Woods (Israel – Premier Tech) won a stage at the Vuelta a Espana. The Canadian champion was part of a 23-man breakaway group before he attacked in the final climb and clearly signalled that he was the strongest climber in this group. Among other things, he managed to beat the Swiss champion Mauro Schmid (Jayco – AlUla), Sam Oomen (Lidl-Trek), Marc Soler (UAE) and wout van aert (Visma – Lease a Bike). Belgian Wout van Aert missed out on his fourth stage win. Nevertheless, he can also be happy because as leader of the points classification he has now also won the mountain jersey.
Fall on the descent
Before the final climb began, the 23-strong breakaway group was thinned out by several riders. There was also a crash on the last descent before the decisive climb. Jay Vine (UAE) and Brandon McNulty (UAE) slipped in a right-hand bend and fell behind the breakaway group. Fortunately, the Australian and the American were able to continue the race with only minor injuries.
O'Connor loses a lot of time
As expected, Bora – hansgrohe launched a major attack in the main field. The Raubling racing team rode into the Puerto de Ancares with four men to make things as difficult as possible for their competitors. Finally, Captain Primois Roglic (Bora – hansgrohe) took command. Initially, only Enric Mas Nicolau (Movistar) and Sepp kuss (Visma – Lease a Bike). But in the last few kilometers, the American and the Spaniard also had to let go. Leader Ben O'Connor (Decathlon Ag2r La Mondiale) lost a lot of time again, but remains in the red jersey.
Victoire sur la Vuelta à 37 ans sur des pentes à plus de 15% solid Michael Woods #LaVuelta24 pic.twitter.com/eBuQ6aIRdo
— Cycling Legend (@CyclingLegend_) August 30, 2024