LOS CORRALES DE BUELNA, Spain — Juan Ayuso sprinted to victory in the 12th stage of the Vuelta a España on Thursday, sealing his second win at this year’s race. After a chaotic and protest-shortened Stage 11, it was a far quieter afternoon on the 145-kilometer ride from Laredo, allowing the Spanish rider to power through for a solo victory.
A Breakaway Day
The stage was defined by an early breakaway that put the general classification contenders on a quiet day. After just a few kilometers, a large group of 40 riders broke free from the peloton, eventually swelling to a 52-man breakaway. The group built a lead of nearly five minutes over the main pack, allowing race leader Jonas Vingegaard and other favorites to save their legs for a tougher challenge ahead.
Ayuso’s Statement Victory
As the huge breakaway fractured, Ayuso pushed to the front with his Spanish compatriot Javier Romo right on his tail. In a powerful display, Ayuso showed superior strength in the final meters, flying past Romo on the home straight to claim the win. Brieuc Rolland came in third, 13 seconds behind. The victory comes at a pivotal time for Ayuso, who is set to part ways with UAE Team Emirates at the end of the season after expressing a feeling of a “lack of respect” from the team.
General Classification Standings Remain Tight
Despite a day off from the action, the top of the general classification remains unchanged heading into a critical stage.
- Jonas Vingegaard (DEN) Team Visma – Lease a Bike: 44:36:45
- João Almeida (POR) UAE Team Emirates: +50
- Tom Pidcock (GBR) Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team: +56
- Torstein Træen (NOR) Bahrain Victorious: +1:06
- Felix Gall (AUT) Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team: +1:17
Looking Ahead to Angliru
The race is set to heat up again on Friday as riders tackle one of the toughest climbs of the race on Stage 13. The stage will end with a demanding summit finish on the iconic Angliru, after a 202.7-kilometer route from Cabezon de la Sal in Cantabria. The climb is expected to be a key battleground for the general classification contenders.
Discussion about this post