cycling: Vuelta a España stage #14: Majka wins the race

Cycling: Rafal Majka (Bora-hansgrohe) just won the 14th stage of the Vuelta a España – also thanks to the Austrian Patrick Konrad. The Pole saved himself as the only remaining escape from the favorites to the finish. Second was Miguel Angel Lopez (Astana) ahead of Vincenzo Nibali (Bahrain Merida). Chris Froome (Sky) once again confidently defended the red jersey.

It calls the Sierra de la Pandera

Stage 14 of the Vuelta a España was another mountainous one. As is so often the case with the Tour of Spain, the approach to the final climb should be relatively easy. Although the profile showed a wavy up and down, it only went into the dreaded high mountains at the end of the section. There, after 175 kilometers from west to east, the finish line on the Sierra de la Pandera awaited the pros. Just before that, the Alto de Valdepeñas had to be climbed, but this mountain only belongs to the second category. The final ascent was of course classified in the so-called Especial category. No wonder, because an average incline of 7,3 percent had to be mastered over a distance of 12 kilometers. Particularly explosive: Shortly before the end, the steepest sections with 11 to 13 percent had to be mastered before it went uphill again after a short descent.

Two Austrians on the run

The Sierra de la Pandera was not driven on for the first time today. Four times before he was the final climb of a stage at the Vuelta a España. Most recently in 2009 when Damiano Cunego won as a breakaway. The ten escapees of the day wanted to tackle the same attempt today. In addition to Alexis Gougeard (Ag2r), Bart De Clercq (Lotto Soudal), Luis Angel Mate (Cofidis), Stefan Denifl (Aqua Blue Sport) and Ricardo Vilela (Manzana Postobon), former world champion Rui Costa (UAE) and the Place Bora-hansgrohe professionals Rafal Majka and Patrick Konrad in the group. Also represented in the twosome were Simon Clarke and mountain king Davide Villella, riders from the Cannondale-Drapac team. But despite a temporarily very large lead, hopes of success dwindled. With Astana, Trek-Segafredo, Sky, Quick-Step Floors and Bahrain Merida, several teams in the peloton were trying to catch up.

unbelievable effort from @PatricKonrad & @majkaformal to fight against a whole bunch 💪👊 still 1:45 ahead #BORAhansgrohe # LV2017 pic.twitter.com/SXGmIxeYIw

- BORA - hansgrohe (@BORAhansgrohe) September 2, 2017

Majka saves himself - Froome unchallenged

At the foot of the Sierra de la Pandera, the lead of the ten leaders was less than two minutes. Austrian Patrick Konrad bravely sacrificed himself for his captain Rafal Majka. The Pole then attacked right at the start and quickly made it clear that he was the strongest escape. Behind them, the fugitives were gradually collected under the speed dictate of the Astana team. But Majka defended his lead and made it to the finish as the winner. The overall battle erupted as Romain Bardet (Ag2r) and Richard Carapaz (Movistar) attacked. Although both were caught again, the chain reaction was also important for Chris Froome (Sky). Vincenzo Nibali (Bahrain Merida) and Alberto Contador (Trek-Segafredo) were also able to create a gap. But Froome kept his cool and let his teammate Wouter Poels guide him up. When he was KO, he took the initiative himself and apparently easily closed the gap. After that, the pace dropped and some drivers were able to roll up again. Miguel Angel Lopez (Astana) secured second place ahead of Nibali with a spirited attack shortly before the end.

Vuelta a España stage #14 daily classification

Vuelta a España stage #14 general classification