Ben O’Connor’s lead of the Vuelta a España has been greater than halved throughout stage 13, however the Australian retains the chief’s jersey.
Coming into the day with a bonus of greater than three minutes, which was diminished the day earlier than, O’Connor’s lead within the total standings was slashed by nearly two minutes by Slovenia’s Primož Roglič. The Australian now leads by only one minute and 21 seconds.
Canadian bicycle owner Michael Woods clinched victory on 13 stage with a decisive late breakaway within the troublesome mountains of north-western Spain.
For O’Connor, the Australian mentioned he wanted to try to regain some vitality to reinvigorate his battle for the general race win.
“I used to be fairly cooked. Unhappy instances however I am nonetheless in (the chief’s) purple (jersey) so at the very least it is a good factor,” mentioned O’Connor, who completed thirty third within the stage, in comparison with Roglič’s sixteenth.
“Tomorrow, I am going to simply attempt to do my greatest to get well, have one other day within the purple jersey and see how Sunday goes.”
Woods excelled on the route from Lugo to Puerto de Ancares, securing his fourth Grand Tour stage win and his third in La Vuelta.
The main group of 5 riders remained tightly packed as they approached the ultimate, gruelling ascent. Nevertheless, Woods broke free 4.5 kilometres from the end line.
Switzerland’s Mauro Schmid completed second, making an attempt however unable to match Woods’s tempo within the mountains, whereas the native viewers cheered as Spaniard Marc Soler claimed third place.
“It has been a tricky race. And it is a massive second of catharsis, a giant launch. The stress has been constructing and to get this win now, I am on cloud 9,” Woods mentioned.
“I knew that so long as I had the blokes inside placing distance I had a shot at successful as a result of the climb actually suited me.
“I did not need to go as early as Mauro (Schmid) did however then I needed to. It was an extended 4 kilometres to be alone.”
The 37-year-old Canadian pointed to the purple maple leaf on his Canadian champion jersey as he crossed the end line, celebrating his hard-fought and strategic win.
Reuters/ABC