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Urko Berrade (Equipo Kern Pharma) secured his first skilled victory on stage 18 on the Vuelta a España.
The Spaniard broke away from what was left of an authentic 42-rider breakaway on the ultimate climb situated 6km from the end after which crossed the road 4 seconds forward of the chase-group dash gained by Mauro Schmid (Jayco AlUla) and teammate Pau Miquel (Equipo Kern Pharma) in Maestu-Parque Natural de Izki.
On a day that put stress on crimson jersey Ben O’Connor (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale), he managed to take care of his total lead by 5 seconds forward of runner-up Primož Roglič (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) and 1:25 forward of third-place Enric Mas (Movistar) and 1:46 forward of fourth-place Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost).
In what was a serious change within the total classification, nevertheless, Mikel Landa (T Rex Quick-Step) was distanced from the group of GC favourites over the day’s class 1 climb, Puerto Herrera. He completed the day 10 minutes behind the stage winner and 4:20 behind the GC group, slipping to tenth place total now at 5:38 behind O’Connor.
More to come back…
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