cycling: Vuelta a Espana stage #12: Keukeleire wins an exciting race

Cycling: Jens Keukeleire (Orica-BikeExchange) has won the exciting 12th stage of the Vuelta a Espana in the Basque Country. The Belgian triumphed in the sprint of a small field. There were no changes in the overall standings at the very front.

A strong leading group forms

Today's 12th stage led the riders over a total of 193,2 kilometers from Los Corrales de Buelna to Bilbao and thus for the first time at this year's Vuelta a Espana in the Basque Country. The last few kilometers had to be covered on a circuit. The Alto El Vivero with the 2nd category was therefore twice on the daily program. 12,9 kilometers before the finish line, the summit was to be crossed for the last time, which of course opened up a great view for late escape attempts. But already in the first half of the stage there were two mountain prizes: the Puerto de Las Alisas with the 1st category and the Alto La Escrita with the 3rd category. Today's leading group formed on the first mountain of the day, which was about 39 kilometers away. This was all the stronger for it: Because Louis Meintjes (Lampre), Romain Hardy (Cofidis), Kenny Elissonde (FDJ), Gianluca Brambilla (Etixx-Quick Step), Darwin Atapuma (BMC) and David Lopez and Peter Kennaugh (both Sky) can all be described as very good climbers. But soon they were one less, there Atapuma suffered technical problems and was unable to restore the connection on his own. The Movistar team in the main field was trying to do this, but later the Astana team also joined the pursuit. No wonder, because both Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) as well as most Luis Leon Sanchez (Astana) were among the winning candidates today.

Astana provides the group - Devenyns tries again

As much as the leading group fought back and as good as they were, they had no chance against the power of Astana today. Especially in the flat section between the two climbs up to the Alto El Vivero, they drastically reduced the lead, so that it dropped to less than a minute and the group was finally in sight. Meanwhile, of course, the field of riders was also greatly reduced, so that a sprint from a smaller group was very likely. The group was caught before the start of the second crossing. Then attacked at the foot of the last climb Dries Devenyns (IAM), who just barely missed a stage win a few days ago. He immediately opened up a lead of around half a minute, but the pace in the field picked up again. Astana and Movistar once again joined forces to nip all attacks in the bud, including attacks from Alberto ContadorTinkoff and George Bennett (LottoNL-Jumbo). But also the attempted attack by Astana in the person of Luis Leon Sanchez failed. Although he was able to pull away over the summit with other riders, the field finally closed in on the descent. Now there was only Devenyns in front, who bravely faced the approaching field despite the enormously high speed and numerous attacks. But he still had about seven long and mainly flat kilometers ahead of him in the wind.

Numerous attacks before the final sprint

Since there were only a few drivers in the main field that was left, organizing a pursuit was extremely difficult. Astana and Trek teamed up, yes Devenyns continued to resist bravely. Finally, there were numerous attacks over the last four kilometers. Among other things, tried again in vain George Bennett. The attacks by Simon Yates (Orica BikeExchange) and Jan Bakelants (Ag2r) because the two were able to catch up with the leading Belgian. However, nothing helped, because exactly one kilometer from the finish everything came together again. The attacks that followed were not crowned with success either, and so the final sprint was chaotic without any order or organization. Simon yates was the first driver into the last corner and now, after his unsuccessful attempt to break away, started the sprint for his teammates. Kristian Sbaragli (Dimension Data) put the cards on the table first and kept his nose into the wind for the last 200 meters. But came out of his slipstream Jens Keukeleire (Orica BikeExchange) raced and took the stage win. He referred Maxime Bouet (Etixx Quick Step) and Fabio Felline (Trek Segafredo) to your seats. The work of the Astana team has not paid off because Luis Leon Sanchez ended up only in fifth place. In the overall standings, everything stays the same.

Vuelta a Espana Stage #12 – The daily standings:

Vuelta a Espana Stage #12 – Overall standings: