2018 Vuelta a España

[Bonus]

15:45:40 CEST

It will be interesting to see how Movistar and the other GC teams play it today because the intermediate sprint comes just before the Coll de la Rabassa. With bonus seconds available, will Movistar try to shut this breakaway down before then? Even if they don't, there will still be one bonus seconds up for grabs, but they could do with the full haul of three. There are also 10 available on the finish line for the stage winner.

[Bonus]

16:04:45 CEST

Just under 30 kilometres until the foot of the climb and Movistar is still working on the front. They complained earlier in the race that Mitchelton did not help them make the chase, but they seem more than content to put in the effort today. Mitchelton playing this well as they keep their noses out of the wind for now. 

[Bonus]

The "Breakaway of Two" - Jonathan Castroviejo (Team Sky) and Benjamin Thomas (Groupama-FDJ) have 2:28 over the Peloton with 40km to go.

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Break down to 1:22 with 24.7 km to go . . . .

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The Peloton cruise past the border control into Andorra.

 

Pace has been high all day but now it gets real.

[Bonus]

16:43:08 CEST

Here are Tony Gallopin's thoughts on La Rabassa. The Frenchmen is currently sitting in 10th place overall after winning a stage in the opening week. 

 

“I went to Andorra for some training ahead of La Vuelta. I did this climb a couple times so I know it well. There are two parts: the bottom is really hard ; and then it gets less steep as we move forward. That’s what I’m afraid off, I struggle with accelerations in the first part of ascents. I’ll have to hang on and once again regulate my effort because it’s about 40-45 minutes of climbing.”

[Bonus]

16:46:11 CEST

Quintana has moved further back now and is with Valverde. 

 

[Bonus]

16:47:18 CEST

The peloton is being whittled down very quickly as riders get blown out the back due to the gradient. Peter Sagan looks like he's come to a standstill as he just tries to push the pedals around. 

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16:48:48 CEST

Gorka Izagirre is among those that have been dropped. He would have been a good support rider for his brother Ion, who is sitting seventh overall. 

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16:49:59 CEST

14km remaining from 154.4km

Anacona continuing to set the pace on the front of the bunch with George Bennett in his wheel. The leading group has reduced to around 40 riders. 

 

[Bonus]

This is a tough looking climb!

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Simon Yates slips out the right side of the group and looks for the rest of his team!

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LottoNL-Jumbo take up the lead in the Peloton . . .

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Nairo attacks!

[Eldron]

Nairo attacks then refuses to go through and work. Allergic to fresh air indeed....

[Bonus]

Pinot wants to join the party up front and he bridges across to the pair of Quintana and Kruijswijk.