Jonas Vingegaard soloed to victory in the Vuelta a Espana stage 16 on Tuesday to climb to second general, 29 seconds behind team-mate and race chief Sepp Kuss.
The American has led the standings since stage eight however back-to-back Tour de France winner Vingegaard has now trimmed that benefit to a slender margin.
Vingegaard admitted on Monday’s relaxation day he suffered extreme abdomen issues in the primary few levels of the race and mentioned he was glad to nonetheless be concerned, now he’s firmly in rivalry for a 3rd Grand Tour triumph.
Earlier Tuesday one other rider for the Dutch group, Nathan Van Hooydonck, was left in hospital after being concerned in a automobile crash in Belgium.
“I’m just happy to win today, we had some terrible news this morning, I wanted to win for my best friend,” Vingegaard mentioned.
“There is good news about it, about his condition, that’s a big relief for me and for the team, and I hope he will recover soon.”
Vingegaard wouldn’t be drawn on whether or not he would wrestle the purple jersey on Wednesday from Kuss, who normally takes an aiding function somewhat than the limelight.
“I just want to enjoy this moment and not think about that,” he added.
The peloton stored up a excessive pace on the moist run from Liencres seashore to Bejes in Cantabria, a brief 120.5 kilometres with a tough class two climb finale.
The race began in the rain with loads of assaults, however no stable breakaway shaped, the group intact after 50 kilometres.
Halfway by means of the race the day’s break lastly shaped, together with inexperienced jersey holder Kaden Groves.
It was swallowed up with 10 kilometres to go and Vingegaard attacked first on the ultimate climb with 4 remaining.
Nobody may catch him and now he sits shut behind Kuss with three-time Vuelta winner and their team-mate Primoz Roglic third, one minute and 33 behind the purple jersey holder.
(*16*) will probably be an important one in the overall classification battle, working 124.5 kilometres between Ribadesella and Altu de L’Angliru.
⛰️⚡️ El estreno de Bejes nos regala un baile de los favoritos en sus duras rampas. Revive YA el ÚLTIMO KM.
⬅️ The first dance on Bejes didn’t disappoint! Watch the LAST KM 💃
#LaVuelta23 #CarrefourconLaVuelta23 @carrefourES pic.twitter.com/1tno2ONpgM— La Vuelta (@lavuelta) September 12, 2023
