Britain’s Adam Yates claimed a sensational victory on stage nine of the Vuelta a Espana to revive his hopes of clinching the general classification title.
The UAE Team Emirates rider broke away 58km from the finish in the Sierra Nevada mountains and managed to cross the line one minute 39 seconds ahead of Ecuador’s Richard Carapaz.
Yates’ victory on the 178.5km mountain route from Motril to Granada was his first stage win in the Vuelta and the 32-year-old’s second in a Grand Tour.
Yates began the day more than nine minutes off the lead but climbed to seventh in the overall standings. Ben O’Connor has retained the red jersey and fractionally increased his lead over Primoz Roglic.
“I never suffered like this before, it’s so hot out there,” said Yates. “From the last climb I was cramping and I didn’t know if I could go.
“I’ve had a lot of bad luck in Grand Tours over the years and I really didn’t know if I could make it, but I’m just so happy I could finally win another Grand Tour stage.”
Carapaz has also put himself back in GC contention after attacking from the peloton to catch the break, with the EF Education-EasyPost rider now third overall.
“I think we had to play a card like that from a long way out because we had lost time on the stages that weren’t so suited to me,” said Carapaz.
At one point Yates was in the podium places on the virtual standings but a strong finish from O’Connor and his group ensured they did not give up too much ground.
Although the Decathlon-AG2R La Mondiale rider finished in a bunch with three-time winner Roglic, the Australian crossed third to claim four bonus seconds so now leads by three minutes 53 seconds heading into Monday’s rest day.
“I am super-happy with how we were as a team,” said O’Connor. “I think we were really composed, we led from the front when we needed to.
“Every second counts, and I didn’t lose time today. To some guys [I did], yes – but in the end I showed my real capacity and what I can do, so I’m proud.”
UAE rider Joao Almeida abandoned the race in the morning after testing positive for Covid-19 while Ineos Grenadiers have confirmed Josh Tarling is also out following a crash on Sunday.
A team statement read: “Josh was initially able to remount his bike but was unable to continue.”
The 20-year-old Welsh rider was making his debut in a Grand Tour race.
Stage nine results
1. Adam Yates (GB/UAE Team Emirates) 4hrs 42mins 28secs
2. Richard Carapaz (Ecu/EF Education-EasyPost) +1min 39secs
3. Ben O’Connor (Aus/Decathlon-AG2R-La Mondiale) +3 mins 45secs
4. Mikel Landa (Spa/Soudal Quick-Step) Same time
5. Florian Lipowitz (Ger/Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe) Same time
6. Pavel Sivakov (Fra/UAE Team Emirates) Same time
7. Carlos Rodriguez (Spa/Ineos Grenadiers) Same time
8. Primoz Roglic (Slo/Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe) Same time
9. David Gaudu (Fra/Groupama-FDJ) Same time
10. Enric Mas (Spa/Movistar) Same time
General classification
1. Ben O’Connor (Aus/Decathlon-AG2R La Mondiale) 36hrs 9mins 36secs
2. Primoz Roglic (Slo/Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe) +3mins 53secs
3. Richard Carapaz (Ecu/EF Education-EasyPost) +4 mins 32secs
4. Enric Mas (Spa/Movistar) +4 mins 35secs
5. Mikel Landa (Spa/Soudal Quick-Step) +5 mins 17secs
6. Florian Lipowitz (Ger/Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe) +5mins 29secs
7. Adam Yates (GB/UAE Team Emirates) +5mins 30secs
8. Felix Gall (Aut/Decathlon-AG2R La Mondiale) Same time
9. Carlos Rodriguez (Spa/Ineos Grenadiers) +6mins
10. David Gaudu (Fra/Groupama-FDJ) +6mins 32secs