Friday, August 29th, 7th stage: Andorra La Vella. Andorra > Cercler. Huesca La Magia
The day after crumbling in Andorra and seeing his GC hopes slip away, Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) showed his grit and skill to claim an impressive solo victory. The young Spaniard launched his attack on the very first climb of the day, the mighty Port del Canto, and dropped his breakaway companions almost 10 kilometres from the summit finish at the Cerler ski resort. He takes his first La Vuelta stage win after opening his Grand Tour tally earlier this season at the Giro d’Italia. It’s also a third consecutive victory for UAE Team Emirates-XRG, following the team time trial and Jay Vine’s success in Andorra. Their Portuguese leader João Almeida also attacked on the final climb, but the main GC contenders finished together, with Torstein Træen (Bahrain Victorious) matching their pace to retain La Roja.
After a week of international racing, the peloton exit Andorra and return to Spain, where they will remain for the remainder of La Vuelta 25 after visiting Italy, France and Andorra. En route to the province of Huesca and a summit finish at Cerler, they have to overcome no less than 4,211 metres of elevation, the 2nd highest figure of this edition!
Ayuso leads an attacking festival
Attackers are inspired by the many ascents of the day (adding up to 4,211 metres of elevation, the 2nd highest figure of La Vuelta 25). A few moves are initiated on the opening downhill sections but the real battle unfolds on the ascent up Port del Canto (24.7km at 4.4%).
Some 22 kilometres away from the summit, Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) sets off, looking for revenge after dropping to 43rd position overall on day 6. Many riders attack behind him, including his teammate Jay Vine, winner in Pal and leader of the KOM standings, as well as Louis Vervaeke (Soudal Quick-Step), 4th overall, whose attempts are covered by Bahrain Victorious as they defend Torstein Træen’s La Roja.
Ayuso goes solo all the way to the summit (km 37.9) and is joined by eleven riders on the downhill: Jay Vine (UAE Team Emirates-XRG), Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek), Sean Quinn (EF Education-EasyPost), Damien Howson (Q36.5), Harold Tejada (XDS Astana), Brieuc Rolland (Groupama-FDJ), Joel Nicolau (Caja Rural-Seguros RGA), Raul Garcia Pierna (Arkéa-B&B Hotels), Kevin Vermaerke (Picnic PostNL), Eduardo Sepulveda (Lotto), and Marco Frigo (Israel Premier Tech).
Vine and Pedersen take the points
The gap increases in the valley, reaching a maximum of 4’10’’. Træen’s teammates set the pace in the bunch to ensure the attackers pose no threat to La Roja. Raul Garcia Pierna is the best-placed rider in the GC among them, sitting 4’57’’ down. He never gets to enjoy the virtual race lead.
Jay Vine strengthens his grip on the polka-dot jersey going first atop the cat.-2 climbs of Creu de Perves (km 107.7) and L’Espina (km 141.5). Then it’s Mads Pedersen who is rewarded for his effort at the front with 20 points at the intermediate sprint (Benasque, km 174).
The 12 leaders are still three minutes and a half ahead of the bunch at the bottom of the final climb to Cerler (21.1 km at 5.8%).
Ayuso takes off to victory
Vine sets the pace early on the climb. Pedersen and Nicolau are rapidly dropped. Ayuso attacks with 11 kilometres to go. Frigo manages to get back to him… But the Italian powerhouse can’t react when the Spanish climber accelerates again just inside the last 10 kilometres.
The Spaniard flies away to his first La Vuelta stage win, on the day after losing minutes in Andorra. Behind him, Garcia Pierna gets back to Frigo but the Italian rider eventually takes 2nd place.
In the peloton, Visma-Lease a Bike and then UAE Team Emirates-XRG set a strong pace. Joao Almeida attacks inside the last 5 kilometres. Jonas Vingegaard is right on his wheel, followed by Giulio Ciccone (Lidl-Trek). The GC contenders get back together, including Træen, who holds on to the overall lead.
Stage 7
- Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates XRG) 4h49’41”
- Marco Frigo (Israel – Premier Tech) +1’15”
- Raul Garcia Pierna (Arkéa-B&B Hotels) +1’21”
GC
- Torstein Træen (Bahrain Victorious) 25h18’02”
- Jonas Vingegaard (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) +2’33”
- Joao Almeida (UAE Team Emirates XRG) +2’41”
