On one of the shortest stages of the Vuelta a España at just 118km, the 15th day saw a large shake up on GC as Tinkoff and Alberto Contador set the race alight from the early stages. Eventually racing to sixth over the finish line atop the final ascent of Formigal, Alberto gained time of many of his GC rivals to close the gap to the podium to only five seconds, and climb from sixth to fourth overall.
The action got underway from the opening kilometres as Alberto press on over an early uncategorised climb. He was joined in a split of 14 riders by teammates Ivan Rovny and Yuri Trofimov, together with the overall race leader. Importantly, all of the other riders in the top 10 going into the stage were not present.
After the finish, Sport Director Steven De Jongh praised the efforts of all of the team on a strong performance. “It was a great ride from all of the guys today. We knew the start would be hectic and so we wanted to have as many as possible in the front with the small roads coming up. In the end the bunch split so much that Alberto decided to push on. Orica and Sky found themselves isolated and lost more and more time.
“It was great work by the team, from all the riders and from Alberto. Chapeau to Ivan and Yuri as they worked so, so hard today, and to Alberto as it’s amazing how he was fighting. He’s helping to turn the Vuelta. Again, I’m proud of the work that all the boys did today.”
Contador drives the break containing teammates Rovny and Trofimov. Photo by Vuelta a España / Photo Gomez Sport
The lead group worked well together and pushed on, pressing ahead their advantage to put nearly three minutes between themselves and the chase with 50km to race. Ivan and Yuri provided superb support to Alberto in pushing the pace and aiding their leader during the stage.
After a third category and second category climb, the race headed to the base of the final ascent of Formigal – 14km uphill with varying ramps of up to 10% at times. At the foot of the climb, the advantage was still over two minutes as the chase group thinned down behind. While at the front of the race, Yuri and Ivan eventually peeled off in the final kilometres to leave their GC leader in a small group to keep fighting for both GC and stage honours.
As the red jersey pressed on in the final 1500m, a brave Alberto had to settle into his own pace, after huge efforts over the course of the stage, and by the finish he came home just 34” behind the stage winner in sixth place. As a reward for his efforts, Alberto was awarded the most combative award for the day.
Alberto himself said after the stage: “I’m happy with the stage today. When I crossed the finish line yesterday, I was gutted because the form of my legs didn’t correspond to the result. I had a very strange sensation after the stage and I wanted to put it behind me and focus on today.
Contador talks to race leader Quintana in the breakaway. Photo by Vuelta a España / Graham Watson
“I wasn’t extremely optimistic because the climbs weren’t very hard. Yesterday evening, I was reading the race book, looking at the gradients of the climbs in order to see what we could do. I knew it it would be complicated, so I decided to start at full pace. I was aware I was making a dangerous gamble because I knew that if they were able to catch me in the finale they would be able to drop me from the group of favorites. It was a gamble and I think it led to a great result. Sometimes you don’t win, like today. The final kilometers were tough.
“However, I think we had a beautiful showing today and the spectators enjoyed it, regardless of the result of the stage or the GC. I’m happy with what we achieved, it was a better day than yesterday. I think I had to pull hard because if I hadn’t done it the breakaway would have slowed down. Maybe in the first hour I was generous but I think I did the right thing.
“Tomorrow will be less demanding than today and yesterday but, again, every day is a different story. I have to be realistic about the rest of the Vuelta. This year victory in Paris-Nice and Catalunya slipped by for a handful of seconds. I had to abandon the Tour despite the fact I had started in optimal form and condition. I will give my best in the rest of the Vuelta now. It isn’t over yet!”
De Jongh added: “Tomorrow we’ll have to pay attention as it comes between a hard day and the rest day. I think some teams will go for the break and then some may push for a sprint, but the final could be tricky so we’ll be ready.”
Stage Result
1. Gianluca Brambilla (ITA) Etixx – QuickStep 2:54:30
2. Nairo Quintana (COL) Movistar +00:00:03
3. Fabio Felline (ITA) Trek – Segafredo +00:00:25
4. Kenny Elissonde (FRA) FDJ +00:00:28
5. David De La Cruz (SPA) Etixx – QuickStep +00:00:31
6. Alberto Contador (SPA) Tinkoff +00:00:34
38. Ivan Rovny (RUS) Tinkoff +00:10:12
39. Yuri Trofimov (RUS) Tinkoff +00:10:12
GC After Stage 15
1. Nairo Quintana (COL) Movistar 61:36:07
2. Christopher Froome (GBR) Team Sky +00:03:37
3. Esteban Chaves (COL) ORICA-BikeExchange +00:03:57
4. Alberto Contador (SPA) Tinkoff +00:04:02
