A day after losing the overall race lead in the Vuelta, Colombian Esteban Chaves bounced back in style by winning stage six to don the leaders red
ADVERTISEMENTA day after losing the overall race lead in the Vuelta, Colombian Esteban Chaves bounced back in style by winning stage six to don the leaders red jersey again.
The day’s ride took the peloton over 200 km from Cordoba to Cazorla in the south of Spain.
Some 70 kilometres in a six-man group made a break for it and built a lead of four minutes across the undulating terrain.
The escape was to last the majority of the day, but with three kilometres of the ride remaining the last remnants of the break were swallowed up.
Up the final climb of the day Chaves made his move.
Dutchman Tom Dumoulin, who took over the race lead the day before, had no choice but to attack his rival.
Ireland’s Dan Martin was the next to burst out of the bunch, and he was soon followed by compatriot Nicolas Roche.
Chaves however had done enough and despite Martin closing in fast he held on to secure the win and the Vuelta lead.
A fading Dumoulin had to settle for third Martin past him with a few metres to go.
Britian’s Tour de France winner Chris Froome crossed over in a large group 11 seconds back.
Chaves, 25, now leads the general classification from Dumoulin by 10 seconds.