Giant-Shimano’s John Degenkolb won stage 12 of the Vuelta a España, again proving to be one of the best sprinters in Spain’s grand tour.
The German’s strong team made all the difference in the technical final kilometers of the day’s flat, eight-lap circuit race around Logroño.
At the end of the 166.4km race, it came down to a stifling leadout from Ramon Sinkeldam (Giant-Shimano), who strung out a small front group of 13, delivering Degenkolb to the line.
Though Tom Boonen (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) challenged in the final meters, Degenkolb would not be denied victory, confirming again that he is a deserving wearer of the green points jersey. The general classification’s red jersey stays with Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo), and the top-10 overall standings are unchanged.
Krizek’s long, lonely road
Matthias Krizek (Cannondale) took off 4km into the stage. He quickly opened a lead of a few minutes.
After 16km of racing, Krizek had a 5:08 lead over the peloton. From there, his advantage swelled to seven minutes at the end of the second 20.8km lap.
The leader’s gap reached 9:00 after about 55 kilometers, but that would not last for long.
When the peloton started the sixth lap, it was only 3:52 behind the leader.
Krizek made it to the final circuit with an advantage of 1:27. FDJ.fr rode tempo at the front of the peloton. The sprinters wanted to have their day before the Vuelta returns to the mountains.
The catch was made with 12 kilometers left.
Degenkolb again proves unbeatable
Heading into the finale, BMC and Tinkoff-Saxo kept the pace high, protecting their GC leaders.
With four kilometers to go, the race for the sprint was on, as the field tackled several sharp corners. Contador was impeccably positioned in the front, avoiding the dangerous fight for position behind.
With 2.4km left, BMC’s Manuel Quinziato started the hostilities, jumping off the front of the field.
His advantage was minimal at best. Tinkoff-Saxo soon brought him back.
Seeing the red kite at 1km to go, Lampre-Merida’s Roberto Ferrari wound up the pace, splitting the field through the final sharp corners. His efforts were aided by a crash behind that claimed several favorites, including Michael Matthews (Orica-GreenEdge).
Yauheni Hutarovich followed Ferrari’s move, but he spent his matches too soon.
Sinkeldam came through with an impeccable leadout for Degenkolb. Boonen made a final push toward the line on the German’s right side, but it was not enough. Degenkolb cruised to his third victory at this year’s Vuelta.
Boonen finished second, and Jacopo Guarnieri (Astana) was third. The GC remains unchanged after stage 12.
The Vuelta heads back to the mountains on Friday with a 188.7km stage from Belorado to Obregón. There will be three categorized climbs along the way, but a long, lumpy run-in to the finish.
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