Thomas de Gendt (Lotto Soudal) came out on top in a pulsating stage 19 of the Vuelta a Espana. The Belgian, who has been on the attack throughout this year’s race, won ahead of Jarlinson Pantano (Trek Segafredo) and Ivan Garcia Cortina (Bahrain Merida) in a tightly-fought sprint.
De Gendt was part of an early move that broke free from the peloton in the opening kilometres.
Despite several late attacks from Nicolas Roche, Romain Bardet and Garcia, it was De Gendt who came out on top, powering through the middle of the reduced break to win Lotto-Soudal’s fourth stage win of this year’s Vuelta.
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In the race for the overall Chris Froome (Team Sky) retained his lead over Vincenzo Nibali (Bahrain Merida) in second place. Alberto Contador (Trek Segafredo) provided his usual dose of attacking flare, going clear on the final climb before the finish but he was reeled back by Team Sky’s efficient train with less than five kilometres remaining.
However it was De Gendt’s day to savour after a well-timed acceleration to the line. Roche ignited the sprint, leading out with almost a kilometre to go and when Garcia came around the Irishman it looked as though Spain’s long wait for a home win in this year’s Vuelta was over. But De Gendt had other ideas, and as the Bahrain Merida rider began to fade the Belgian came through the centre of the road with a fast finishing Pantano taking second place.
Until the sprint finish, the stage had ebbed and followed with several riders looking on course for victory. 19 riders had been joined by nine others during the opening kilometres, with Bardet, Garcia, Roche and Rui Costa all making bids for glory. The final climb was a launchpad for a telling move from Garcia but he was caught on the descent before a larger group reformed inside the closing kilometres.
How it unfolded
You can read more at Cyclingnews.com
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