After a reassuring return from his crash yesterday, climbing ahead of several of his GC rivals to the line to move up to seventh on GC, Alberto Contador again showed he’s working his way into this race with a confident ride on the final 5km climb to finish on stage 9 at La Vuelta.
Today was the second of three consecutive mountain-top finishes, with five categorised climbs along the rolling 164.5km route – the last of which being the climb to the line. After yesterday’s steep gradients, the finishing ascent today was more forgiving, with a maximum gradient of 11%. However, the fast pace set to the line still saw a thinned out GC group finish together, with Alberto amongst them.
Looking back at this performance, Alberto said after the finish: “It was a race that started fast but was relatively calm in the group. The climb was probably a bit hard for me but in the end we finished without any trouble and I’m happy. Let’s see whether we improve tomorrow.
“For the moment we will stay focused and, obviously, if there is any opportunity for the GC we will take it. However, right now I have to give my body some time and don’t rush things.”
The day’s breakaway, forming after 10km, consisted of 12 riders – a powerful looking break from the off. Despite a hard push by certain teams to bring them back initially, they broke clear and build up a healthy lead as the chase settled behind. The day’s first climb came after 60km, with the final four in the last 50km. With 60km to go the break held 4’30” and this gap remained nearly the same until the base of the final climb where the GC favourites pushed clear.
Ahead the break fought out the stage, with the day’s winner also assuming the race leader’s red jersey, while behind a fast pace was set to negate any big attacks, with the favourites coming over the line together 2’56” behind the stage winner.
Sport Director Steven De Jongh told us after the finish: “It was a high speed all day but the peloton gave some freedom to the guys in front and it looked like the leaders were happy to give the jersey away. Then on the final climb, Alberto just followed the moves and he did this well. During the stage we spoke and he said he was feeling better so this is a good sign.
“Tomorrow we have a harder climb so let’s cross our fingers for a good day there and then we can go into the rest day to recover a bit and focus on the second week.”
Stage 10 tomorrow takes the riders 188.7km to Lagos de Covadonga, one of the most fearsome climbs of the race. The final ascent to the line covers 12.2km at an average gradient of 7.2%, with ramps of up to 12%. One final test before the riders have the chance to recover on Tuesday’s rest day.
Stage Result
1. David de la Cruz (SPA) Etixx – Quickstep 3:47:56
2. Dries Devenyns (BEL) IAM Cycling +00:00:27
3. Moreno Moser (ITA) Cannondale Drapac +00:00:33
4. Luis Leon Sanchez (SPA) Astana +00:00:51
5. Mathias Frank (SUI) IAM Cycling +00:00:51
18. Alberto Contador (SPA) Tinkoff +00:02:56
49. Jesús Hernández (SPA) Tinkoff +00:03:29
70. Yuri Trofimov (RUS) Tinkoff +00:05:05
99. Michael Gogl (AUT) Tinkoff +00:09:55
103. Daniele Bennati (ITA) Tinkoff +00:11:05
104. Ivan Rovny (RUS) Tinkoff +00:11:05
105. Sergio Paulinho (POR) Tinkoff +00:11:05
130. Manuele Boaro (ITA) Tinkoff +00:12:20
GC After Stage 9
1. David de la Cruz (SPA) Etixx – Quickstep 33:44:24
2. Nairo Quintana (COL) Movistar +00:00:22
3. Alejandro Valverde (SPA) Movistar +00:00:41
7. Alberto Contador (SPA) Tinkoff +00:02:01
40. Jesús Hernández (SPA) Tinkoff +00:16:24
43. Yuri Trofimov (RUS) Tinkoff +00:20:06
99. Daniele Bennati (ITA) Tinkoff +01:01:25
115. Michael Gogl (AUT) Tinkoff +01:07:46
128. Ivan Rovny (RUS) Tinkoff +01:12:59
145. Sergio Paulinho (POR) Tinkoff +01:18:47
158. Manuele Boaro (ITA) Tinkoff +01:29:05
