Alessandro De Marchi claimed victory in the mist and mountains of stage 14 of the Vuelta. The 215 kilometre stage between Vitoria and the summit of
ADVERTISEMENTAlessandro De Marchi claimed victory in the mist and mountains of stage 14 of the Vuelta.
The 215 kilometre stage between Vitoria and the summit of Fuente del Chivo in the north of Spain was the first of three consecutive summit finishes.
Breakaway attempts took place almost straight away with De Marchi the most active in trying to get an advantage.
At the 59 kilometre mark the group consisted of five riders and by the final ascent they were more than nine minutes ahead of the chasing pack.
In the fog of the mountain the 29-year-old BMC rider took control with 1.5 kilometres remaining. As he powered his way to the line to claim his second stage win in two years the Astana team brought home the overall leader Italian Fabio Aru.
He had to hold off a strong challenge from Spain’s Joaquim Rodriquez. Aru is 26 seconds ahead of the Spaniard in the General Classification
.