Simon Yates can overall victory in the Vuelta al smell after demonstration, Thibaut Pinot may stage win |

Thibaut Pinot, the nineteenth stage in the Vuelta won, or better said, should win. After 154,4 rabid kilometers from Lleida to Andorra, he came as first on the top of the Coll de la Rabassa, but especially Simon Yates made a strong impression uphill and came in second, making him even more firmly in the lead and the overall victory already can smell. Thomas De Gendt was today uphill quickly the role resolve but will retain his mountains jersey. The Vuelta ends Sunday, tomorrow, we will still, however, a heavy stage with six climbs in which only the final decision for the stage win and the king of the mountains will fall.

The nineteenth stage of the Vuelta was one long flat run of more than 100 kilometers to a spirited race. The arrival was at the adventure park, Naturlandia, in addition to the Coll de la Rabassa. That is a climb of 17 kilometres at an average of 6.6 percent.

The pace was immediately after the start, the height of native and would never stop. Michal Kwiatkowski of Team Sky chose for the attack and in the end would be 10 companions.

But that was not to the liking of Movistar, the men of Alejandro Valverde (in second place at 25 seconds) and wanted to make the course as hard as possible. Everything was a little later so will be repeated and after the first koersuur was the counter is 48,8 kilometers… That was too fast for the sick Laurens The Plus of Quick Step Floors, there are two days for Madrid threw in the towel.

Van Asbroeck let himself into

Then there was a battle to sling attacked to get away before the final climb. Benjamin Thomas (Groupama-FDJ), Tom Van Asbroeck (Education First-Drapac) and Jonathan Castroviejo (Team Sky) fell only ones from the grip of the flying peloton.

After a conversation with the team management, let our countryman, however, again catching up. Last year ended Van Asbroeck still fourth in the final stage in Madrid, now just saving up, so would be able to wages Sunday? Thomas and Castroviejo were with z’n half and got quickly more than two minutes.

Movistar creates anxiety

At 20 kilometers from the foot of the Coll de la Rabassa went all of a sudden, however, racing in the peloton: the men of Movistar towards the throat, close of the half platoon. There were waaiertjes pulled and that caused some panic among red to chip away at Simon Yates.

The rest, however, quickly back, but by that little putsch of Movistar was the fate of the two leaders was sealed: they were finally nabbed at the foot of the final climb.

Immediately popping uphill

The Coll de la Rabassa is just slightly higher than the magical limit of two thousand meters (exact 2.025 m), is 17.5 miles long and an average of 6.3 percent steep. The steepest parts are in the beginning of the pass, afterwards it is getting flatter.

Movistar put right a lot of the tendon, and the chaff was soon of corn separated. Thomas De Gendt showed the walk but his mountains jersey came in today not in danger. But in the group of the klassementsmannen initially remained together. Our countryman Floris De Tier did some great work in the service of his team leader Steven Kruijswijk, the fifth in the state in 1’48”. On the twelve kilometers of the top shook Nairo Quintana (sixth in the stand at 2’11”) first to the boom and Kruijswijk wipte love it. A little later would also Frenchman Thibaut Pinot in the front to connect.

Yates authoritarian, according to the map of Movistar falls apart

Mitchelton – Scott loved the differences, however, within the limits and at ten kilometers shook Yates himself to the tree. With an impressive leap he closed he gap with the three leaders.

The plan of Movistar fell apart when Quintana in the front had quit and Valverde to start chasing. The Colombian offered later on opportunities in in the service of Valverde. Also the numbers three and four in the state, Enric Mas, and Miguel Ángel López, were in the chasing group.

Yates realized that he has a gold case could do and brought in front of the forcing. Pinot and Kruijswijk worked eagerly and I took the three quickly a half-minute ahead.

Pinot wins but also Yates cheers

In the slot had Kruijswijk his companions. Yates was particularly concerned with the bonificatieseconden, making Pinot the stage was allowed to win. The red sweater came four seconds later over the finish line but was the winner of the day.

Mas, Lopez and Rigoberto Uran came within 52 seconds of Pinot, Valverde had more than a minute allow: the battle in the Vuelta seems to be fought. Valverde follows in the balance now after all, already at 1’38” Yates, Kruijswijk jumped on Mas to third place but is already at 1’58”.

Tomorrow the decision will be made… in about six cols

The decision of the Vuelta is tomorrow/Saturday in the ultra-short mountain stage in Andorra, with six passes (three of which are of the first category), 3.280 meters of altitude and arrival on the top of a climb outside category stage that is less than 97,3 km long. Simply amazing.

On the program: the Col de la Comella (4.7 km at 6,8%, from the south), Coll the Beixalis (9.7 km at 6.7%, which is from the south), the Coll de Ordino (11.2 km at 6,5%), for the second time Coll the Beixales (6.5 km at 8,3%, this time from the east) and for the second time to the Col de la Comella (4 km at 4,9%, this time from the north). To then finish on the Coll de la Gallina, the toughest slope to be found in Andorra. With rates often in the double digits. The Coll de la Galina acted as well also all in the Vuelta of 2015 in the stage that the history went as “the toughest ride in the Tour of Spain ever”. Ultimately won by Mikel Landa. Obstacles enough to make the rankings completely on its head to throw. Vamos!

Results:

1. Thibaut Pinot (Groupama – FDJ) 3:42:05

2. Simon Yates (Mitchelton – Scott) +4

3. Steven Kruijswijk (Team LottoNL – Jumbo) +13

4. Rigoberto Urán (EF Education First – Drapac)+52

5. Miguel Ángel López (Astana Pro Team)

6. Enric Mas (Quick-Step Floors)

7. Wilco Kelderman (Team Sunweb) +1:03

8. Alejandro Valverde (Movistar Team) +1:12

9. Tony Gallopin (AG2R La Mondiale) +1:15

10. Nairo Quintana (Movistar Team) +1:41

Position: