cycling: Vuelta a Espana Stage #6: Simon Yates with impressive victory

Cycling: Simon Yates (Orica-BikeExchange) won stage 6 of the Vuelta a Espana with an impressive attack. A few kilometers before the finish, he countered an attack by Daniel Moreno (Movistar) and then left the solo breakaway Mathias Frank (IAM) without a chance. Darwin Atapuma (BMC) successfully defended his red jersey.

Bora-Argon 18 tries it with two men

On today's 6th stage, the riders had to cover 163,2 kilometers from Monforte de Lemos to Luintra. Even if only a second category mountain classification was on the agenda, it was already clear before the start that it would not be an easy affair. In addition to the strong wind, the ups and downs of the stage profile made for a typical classic stage in Galicia. It's no wonder that many drivers thought they had a chance of a breakaway victory today. But it was not until kilometer 45 that the group of the day was able to break away from the peloton. It included Jan Bakelants (AG2R), Alberto Losada (Katusha), Gert Dockx (Lotto Soudal), Andrey Zeits (Astana), Kevin Reza (FDJ), Omar Fraile (Dimension Data), Mathias Frank (IAM), Valerio Conti (Lampre-Merida), Laurent Didier (Trek-Segafredo), José Mendes and Gregor Muhlberger (both Bora-Argon 18) have some well-known professionals. Robert Kiserlovski (Tinkoff), Sébastien Minard (AG2R) and Miguel Angel Lopez (Astana) could only dream of this, because these three well-known drivers gave up the tour before or during the race today. At the back of the peloton, the Orica-BikeExchange and Tinkoff teams kept the gap within limits before the Movistar team took control.

Simon Yates counters Daniel Moreno

The leading group then disintegrated up to the mountain classification around 40 kilometers from the finish. Fraile was able to break away from Zeits, Bakelants and Frank as the rest of the leading group gradually fell behind. However, the chasing trio proved to be more fast paced, so that Fraile was caught again and the Swiss Frank made off immediately afterwards. The pro from Team IAM, which will be retiring at the end of the season, drove towards the finish line as a soloist – followed by the Zeits / Bakelants duo and the peloton. Around five kilometers before the finish, the pursuers were caught and Frank still had a lead of 25 seconds. However, the Movistar team did not give up and finally even attacked with Daniel Moreno in the last small climb. Simon Yates (Orica-BikeExchange) immediately got on his rear wheel, then first left the Spaniard and then Frank. He drove impressively towards his victory. This also reduced his gap in the overall standings, but at least today there was no danger for Darwin Atapuma's red jersey.

Vuelta a Espana Stage #6 – The daily standings:

Vuelta a Espana Stage #6 – Overall standings: