Colombia’s Darwin Atapuma took the overall lead of the Vuelta a Espana on a mountainous fourth stage won by breakaway rider Lilian Calmejane.
Colombia’s Darwin Atapuma took the overall lead of the Vuelta a Espana on a mountainous fourth stage won by breakaway rider Lilian Calmejane.
The Direct Energie rider launched a devastating attack with 9km left to the summit finish at San Andres de Teixido and held his nerve to edge out nearest rival Atapuma by 15 seconds.
Movistar’s Alejandro Valverde finished in a bunch with Tinkoff’s Alberto Contador, Esteban Chaves of Orica, Nairo Quintana of Movistar and Team Sky’s Chris Froome, who is aiming to become the first man in 38 years to win the Vuelta and Tour de France in the same season.
This result sees Atapuma lead Valverde by 29 seconds in the overall standings, giving him a major boost ahead of Stage 5, a 171.3km trek from Viveiro to Lugo.
Darwin Atapuma: “It is the best day of my cycling career”. Read more here: https://t.co/NYD612cfp7#Atapuma #Vuelta pic.twitter.com/Ev2nPzHOUa
— Cycling Today (@CyclingTodayEn) 23 August 2016