An eventful finale of stage 17 of La Vuelta 22 saw Rigoberto Uran (EF Education-EasyPost) take the win at Monasterio de Tentudia, ahead of his breakaway companions Quentin Pacher (Groupama-FDJ) and Jesus Herrada (Cofidis). The Colombian star completes his treble of Grand Tour stage wins, after previous successes in the Tour de France and the Giro d'Italia. On the uphill finish, Joao Almeida (UAE Team Emirates) was the best of the GC contenders, 9’’ ahead of Remco Evenepoel (Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl), who retains La Roja on a day that began with the withdrawal of Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma). On Thursday, the riders face a mountain stage with three major ascents on the way to another unprecedented summit finish at Alto de Piornal.
The peloton of La Vuelta 22 face new uphill challenges with stage 17 leading them to an unprecedented summit finish at Monasterio de Tentudia. The roads go up and down all day long, adding up to 2,500m of elevation. 139 riders start from Aracena, without the 3-time defending winner Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma), following his crash in Tomares. Filippo Conca (Lotto Soudal) and Bryan Coquard (Cofidis) are also out of La Vuelta 22.
Soler, Herrada, Craddock… 13 riders at the front
Attacks fly from the start but a group of 13 baroudeurs only manage to get away after a first in which they cover 48.8km.
Clément Champoussin, Bob Jungels (AG2R Citroën), Gino Mäder, Fred Wright (Bahrain Victorious), Jesus Herrada (Cofidis), Rigoberto Uran (EF Education-EasyPost), Quentin Pacher (Groupama-FDJ), Alessandro De Marchi (Israel Premier Tech), Lawson Craddock (BikeExchange-Jayco), Kenny Elissonde (Trek-Segafredo), Marc Soler (UAE Team Emirates), Elie Gesbert and Simon Guglielmi (Arkea-Samsic) make the break of the day.
Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl control the day
After such a hard battle for the break, the pace drops in the bunch. Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl control the peloton and the gap rises to 7’20’’ as the attackers enter the last 60km of the stage.
Fred Wright goes first through the intermediate sprint in Segura de Leon (km 133.2), meaning that Mads Pedersen (Trek-Segafredo) will have to wait at least for one more stage to virtually secure the green jersey. The peloton trail by 6’55’’.
Countless attacks
Craddock opens up the battle for the stage win with 19km to go. After a series of attacks and counter-attacks, he faces the final ascent (10.3km at 5% with very irregular slopes) with a lead of 10’’.
The American baroudeur opens a gap of 25’’ to his chasers and holds on until the last kilometre. As he is caught, Champoussin attacks, Herrada counters… But Uran eventually surges to victory in an eventful finale.
In the GC group, Enric Mas (Movistar) attacks with 3km to go but Remco Evenepoel (Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl) controls his Spanish rival. Joao Almeida (UAE Team Emirates) eventually manages to open a gap of 9’’ to Remco Evenepoel, who keeps La Roja for a 12th stage in a row.
