22 Aug 2021
GC setback on Alto de Velefique
Related riders
Egan Bernal
Adam Yates
Vuelta a Espana Stage 9: Puerto-Lumbreras › Alto de Velefique, 188km.
Egan Bernal and Adam Yates both put in a battling performance on stage nine of the Vuelta a Espana, but lost time to race leader Primoz Roglic on a gruelling Alto de Velefique summit finish.
Yates went on the offensive early on the final climb, forcing splits in the favourites’ group and causing a reaction from the race leader after launching this attack following Pavel Sivakov’s strong pace-setting.
Yates went on the offensive early on the final climb, forcing splits in the favourites’ group and causing a reaction from the race leader after launching this attack following Pavel Sivakov’s strong pace-setting.
After each acceleration he made, Bernal and Richard Carapaz were able to follow in the wheels of others and joined Yates in a dwindling GC group as the British rider put in a performance that was destined to move him up on GC.
His third attack on the 13.2km climb caused the biggest split, with only Rogllc and Enric Mas able to catch up to the British rider, before the pair accelerated past him. This duo were now 1-2 overall and worked together to increase their advantage, while Yates and Bernal combined to limit their losses behind.
The stage was won by a stunning solo break by Damiano Caruso who stayed clear for 70km to win atop Alto de Velefique, with Roglic second and Mas third.
The stage was won by a stunning solo break by Damiano Caruso who stayed clear for 70km to win atop Alto de Velefique, with Roglic second and Mas third.
The other contenders finished in chase groups behind, with Yates sixth and Bernal ninth, with them both losing time to a handful of GC rivals including the race leader.
Egan Bernal
"We decided to give it our all. The idea was to put in a hard tempo during the stage and then to try it on the last climb"
Reaction
Egan Bernal
"We decided to go for it today. We knew the race was going to be very crazy and the idea was to put a strong rhythm on the long climb and tense up the race at the last pass, but the truth is that there were other strong riders and there is no other option than to turn the page and try again another day.
"I felt good, but I was missing that change of pace, I was going strong but when they accelerated I felt that I could not and they dropped me again. Adam Yates tried to help me but at one point I already told him to make his race the best he could. Tomorrow we are going to rest and see how we are doing.""
Egan Bernal
"We decided to go for it today. We knew the race was going to be very crazy and the idea was to put a strong rhythm on the long climb and tense up the race at the last pass, but the truth is that there were other strong riders and there is no other option than to turn the page and try again another day.
"I felt good, but I was missing that change of pace, I was going strong but when they accelerated I felt that I could not and they dropped me again. Adam Yates tried to help me but at one point I already told him to make his race the best he could. Tomorrow we are going to rest and see how we are doing.""
Stage result
1. Damiano Caruso (Bahrain Victorious)
2. Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma), +1'05''
3. Enric Mas (Movistar), +1'06''
4. Jack Haig (Bahrain Victorious), 1'44''
5. Miguel Angel Lopez (Movistar), +1'44''
6. Adam Yates (INEOS Grenadiers) s.t.
6. Adam Yates (INEOS Grenadiers) s.t.
9. Egan Bernal (INEOS Grenadiers), +2'10'
Overall standings
Overall standings
1. Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma)
3. Enric Mas (Movistar), +28''
3. Miguel Angel Lopez (Movistar), +1'21''
4. Jack Haig (Bahrain Victorious), 1'44''
5. Egan Bernal (INEOS Grenadiers), +1'52''
6. Adam Yates (INEOS Grenadiers) +2:07"
