Vuelta a España Stage 15: Purito Perfection

It's the I Need To Go For a Ride Threadjack

Katusha's Joaquim Rodriguez launched a last-2km attack to take the latest mountaintop-finish at the Vuelta a España and place the overall lead of Astana's Fabio Aru under severe pressure. In the closing moments of the 15th stage of the Vuelta, Rodriguez quickly escaped the clutches of the leaders' pack, and while Aru and Tinkoff-Saxo's Rafal Majka -- the other virtual podium member for now -- chased after Purito and the ten-second bonus that awaited the stage winner, it was Rodriguez who finished off the job on the terribly steep Alto de Sotres.

Aru was swamped at the line and finished fifth on the stage, fifteen seconds behind Purito, whom he led by 26" to start the day, leaving him in red by a scant second. Majka moved into third when Giant-Alpecin's Tom Dumoulin saw the climbers get away from him with 5km remaining. But the Dutchman once again limited his losses, and Wednesday's time trial still looms as a potential victory march for him. In fact, given Rodriguez' poor abilities (and Aru's too) the entire GC remains completely up for grabs, with six stages remaining.

Results:

1. RODRIGUEZ OLIVER Joaquim KAT 4h33'31"
2. MAJKA Rafal TCS 12"
3. MORENO BAZAN Javier MOV 14"
4. QUINTANA ROJAS Nairo Alexander MOV 15"
5. ARU Fabio AST 15"
6. LANDA MEANA Mikel AST 18"
7. CHAVES RUBIO Jhoan Esteban OGE 20"
8. NIEVE ITURRALDE Mikel SKY 24"
9. VALVERDE BELMONTE Alejandro MOV 29"
10. POZZOVIVO Domenico ALM 41"
11. MEINTJES Louis MTN 41"
12. DUMOULIN Tom TGA 51"
13. DE CLERCQ Bart LTS 01'04"
14. ELISSONDE Kenny FDJ 01'15"
15. JEANDESBOZ Fabrice EUC 01'22"

GC:

1. Aru
2. Rodriguez, at 0:01
3. Majka, at 1:24
4. Dumoulin, at 1:25
5. Chaves, at 1:34

Comillas - Sotres.Cabrales 175.8 km

Hey! Would you look at that, straight ahead and upwards toward the end. Awesome!

Quintessential Vueltian of the Day: Nairo Quintana

This climb looks destined to be decided in those last 2,5 km when the gradients turn nasty. Expect Nairo to lose the last of his company at that point.

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