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2025-09-07T15:44:26.385Z<\/p>\n
Thanks for joining us today, on the day that Mads Pedersen\u2019s endless efforts to win a stage at the Vuelta finally came into fruition.<\/p>\n
Tomorrow the riders get to enjoy a rest day, but after that the race will be very much, with an uphill finish to draw Vingegaard, Almeida, Pidcock and the other GC contenders into a fight. The race is finely poised, so be sure to join us again for Tuesday\u2019s stage 16!<\/p>\n
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(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
2025-09-07T15:35:16.143Z<\/p>\n
Pedersen celebrates with his teammates.<\/p>\n
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2025-09-07T15:32:55.284Z<\/p>\n
The stage win was what Pedersen really wanted today, and for this whole Vuelta. But the result, in addition to the points gained at the intermediate sprint, means he now has a huge lead in the green jersey classification:<\/p>\n
1 Pedersen 237<\/p>\n
2 Vingegaard 139<\/p>\n
3 Ciccone 115<\/p>\n
4 Vernon 111<\/p>\n
5 Philipsen 105<\/p>\n
2025-09-07T15:30:44.019Z<\/p>\n
Ciccone and Bernal also move up, to 13th and 14th respectively.<\/p>\n
2025-09-07T15:28:17.980Z<\/p>\n
That means Lecerf makes a big jump on the GC, from 13th to 9th. Traen and Jorgenson move down to 10th and 11th respectively.<\/p>\n
2025-09-07T15:25:02.656Z<\/p>\n
The peloton arrive home, 13:32 after Pedersen.<\/p>\n
2025-09-07T15:24:31.050Z<\/p>\n
Bahrain are leading the group, and are pushing hard. They want to preserve Traen’s place in the top ten.<\/p>\n
2025-09-07T15:24:01.039Z<\/p>\n
The peloton are into the final kilometre.<\/p>\n
2025-09-07T15:22:43.565Z<\/p>\n
We\u2019re still waiting for the peloton to arrive, and see how much time Lecerf, Ciccone and Bernal will gain on the GC.<\/p>\n
2025-09-07T15:21:43.035Z<\/p>\n
The finals sprint, won by Pedersen.<\/p>\n
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2025-09-07T15:16:13.356Z<\/p>\n
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2025-09-07T15:15:08.600Z<\/p>\n
Magnus Sheffield came down on the corner leading on the finishing straight. He seems OK, but lost his chance of competing for the stage win.<\/p>\n
2025-09-07T15:14:26.143Z<\/p>\n
Pedersen stormed past Frigo on the finishing straight, and, despite being on his wheel, Aular could not stay in his slipstream once he launched his sprint.<\/p>\n
2025-09-07T15:13:34.034Z<\/p>\n
The chase group have crossed the line, and Pedersen is elebrating with is teammates Ciccone, Verona, Ghebreigzabhier and Bernard.<\/p>\n
2025-09-07T15:12:33.143Z<\/p>\n
Frigo completes the podium in third.<\/p>\n
2025-09-07T15:12:13.892Z<\/p>\n
Pedersen wins, Aular a distant second!<\/p>\n
PEDERSEN WINS<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T15:11:50.711Z<\/p>\n They sprint for the line…<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T15:11:32.742Z<\/p>\n Sheffield crashes.<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T15:11:09.900Z<\/p>\n Frigo attacks, Pedersen brings him back.<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T15:10:49.108Z<\/p>\n Pedersen leads the group.<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T15:10:34.375Z<\/p>\n All 9 riders are still together as they enter the final kilometre.<\/p>\n 1KM TO GO<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T15:10:10.796Z<\/p>\n Vine attacks, brought back by Bernal.<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T15:09:58.722Z<\/p>\n Pedersen shuts that move down.<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T15:09:47.064Z<\/p>\n Vervaeke attacks, somehow still having energy left to do so.<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T15:09:13.194Z<\/p>\n Pedersen attacks! But Bernal drags the group back onto him.<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T15:08:54.438Z<\/p>\n Dunbar accelerates but doesn’t get a gap.<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T15:07:54.885Z<\/p>\n Still no attacks since the Bernal effort. There’s only 3km left.<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T15:07:17.614Z<\/p>\n Bernal is also taking a turn. Ineos have the advantage of having 2 riders in this group, Sheffield and Bernal.<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T15:06:17.701Z<\/p>\n Vine and Vervaeke remain in the group, and are taking a rest at the back.<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T15:05:50.386Z<\/p>\n The leaders are working together again, with Dunbar, Pedersen and Frigo all taking turns.<\/p>\n 5KM TO GO<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T15:05:01.185Z<\/p>\n The group behind could yet come back into contention. They’re only 30 seconds behind.<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T15:04:37.120Z<\/p>\n There’s no more cohesion in the group. The seven are all looing at each other.<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T15:04:13.013Z<\/p>\n Bernal has been brought back.<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T15:04:00.311Z<\/p>\n Bernal attacks immediatley as the catch is made.<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T15:03:45.193Z<\/p>\n At long last, with only 7km to go, and after over 100km at the front of the race together, Vine and Vervaeke have been caught.<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T15:03:05.509Z<\/p>\n The chasers are mere seconds away, but still the catch hasn’t quite been made.<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T15:02:00.278Z<\/p>\n The seven chasers are working well toegher, with the turns being shared.<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T15:01:01.275Z<\/p>\n A reminder of the seven riders in the chase: Pedersen, Aular, Bernal, Frigo, Buitrago, Dunbar and Sheffield.<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T15:00:39.266Z<\/p>\n The peloton, meanwhile, is a distant 14 minutes behind.<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T15:00:11.237Z<\/p>\n They still have to bring back the two leaders before worrying about how to defeat each other. But with the gap only at 10 seconds, the catch won’t take long now.<\/p>\n 10KM TO GO<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T14:58:58.398Z<\/p>\n Surely there will be attacks from the others in the break, all of whom stand little chance of defeating Pedersen and Aular in a sprint.<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T14:57:34.329Z<\/p>\n One question Pedersen needs to decide is, with fellow fast finisher Aular also in this group, does he back himself in a sprint finish? Or will he need to attack?<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T14:54:33.722Z<\/p>\n Still Vine and Vervaeke hang on, maintaining their lead of 20 seconds. The odds are against them, but they’re not giving up.<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T14:50:38.717Z<\/p>\n Vine and Vervaeke, still out in front for now.<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T14:48:55.614Z<\/p>\n Only 18 seconds now for Vine and Vervaeke. The 7 chasers can see them up the road on the long, straight road they are currently riding.<\/p>\n 20KM TO GO<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T14:47:00.236Z<\/p>\n It\u2019s coming down again now, however, to 20 seconds.<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T14:43:47.180Z<\/p>\n Having been brought back to just 30 seconds by the chasers, Vine and Vervaeke have dug in and are holding their advantage again.<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T14:42:20.914Z<\/p>\n Meanwhile in the peloton, Bahrain have taken over the pace-setting from Visma, presumably in defence of Traen\u2019s top ten place on GC.<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T14:41:42.696Z<\/p>\n This 7-man chase group are working well together, and have a gap over the rest.<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T14:38:57.548Z<\/p>\n Four riders have joined Pedersen, Bernal and Buitrago – Frigo, Aular, Dunbar and Sheffield.<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T14:38:03.001Z<\/p>\n Pedersen, Bernal and Buitrago are now just 45 seconds behind Vine and Vervaeke.<\/p>\n 30KM TO GO<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T14:37:06.985Z<\/p>\n This trio is making the most of a steady uphill section to build a gap over the rest.<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T14:36:33.229Z<\/p>\n Buitrago, Bernal and Pedersen have a gap over the others.<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T14:35:31.219Z<\/p>\n The increase in pace has seen the two leaders been brought back to within a minute.<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T14:35:04.700Z<\/p>\n Buitrago attacked, only to be brought back. Now several more moves are being made.<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T14:34:24.856Z<\/p>\n It\u2019s starting to break up in the chase group.<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T14:34:06.259Z<\/p>\n Here are the new points classification standings in light of the intermediate sprint:<\/p>\n 1 Pedersen 207<\/p>\n 2 Vingegaard 139<\/p>\n 3 Vernon 111<\/p>\n 4 Philipsen 105<\/p>\n 5 Ciccone 105<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T14:31:39.280Z<\/p>\n Vine and Vervaeke have far from given up. Their lead is falling at a slower rate now, and remains at 1:25.<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T14:29:57.723Z<\/p>\n Pedersen does indeed take the 15 points as the third rider over the line, Stewart sticking to his wheel to be the fourth rider.<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T14:28:15.736Z<\/p>\n Vervaeke and Vine roll over the intermediate sprint line.<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T14:27:38.378Z<\/p>\n There\u2019s an intermediate sprint coming in a few kilometres. Pedersen won\u2019t take the maximum points, due to the two riders up the road, but stands to gain another 15 points if, as expected, he rolls over the line at the front of the chase group.<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T14:26:08.147Z<\/p>\n Still the gap comes down, to 1:30. Lidl are the team doing the work, with only one Movistar riding helping, but they seem to have enough firepower to control this.<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T14:22:50.361Z<\/p>\n The advantage might be swinging towards the chasers and away from Vine and Vervaeke. The gap between them is coming down, and is now at 1:45.<\/p>\n 40KM TO GO<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T14:18:51.726Z<\/p>\n Here was the scene at the start of the stage, where there was once again a strong presence of pro-Palestine protesters protesting Israel-Premier Tech’s continued involvement in the race.<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T14:15:36.169Z<\/p>\n The biggest winner in terms of the GC today is poised to be Junior Lecerf, who is up to tenth on the virtual standings, pushing Jorgenson out of the top ten.<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T14:12:36.258Z<\/p>\n Romo is back in the chase group.<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T14:10:03.271Z<\/p>\n The chase group are stll making inroads, bringing Vine and Vervaeke back to 2:20.<\/p>\n 50KM TO GO<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T14:09:19.760Z<\/p>\n Romo is back up and riding, but not back in the group yet.<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T14:08:40.335Z<\/p>\n The crash occurred when a policeman ran across the road in front of the peloton, responding to a spectator at the side of the road.<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T14:04:54.566Z<\/p>\n There’s been a crash in the chase group – Romo has gone down.<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T13:59:58.228Z<\/p>\n It\u2019s still Lidl doing most of the work, but they\u2019re getting some help from Movistar too.<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T13:59:27.486Z<\/p>\n The chasers have upped the pace notably now. It\u2019s all strung out, and the gap is starting to come down, to 2:30.<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T13:57:09.084Z<\/p>\n Vine and Vervaeke’s lead has stopped growing, but the chasers aren’t making any more inroads. It’s holding steady at 2:45.<\/p>\n 60KM TO GO<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T13:55:27.143Z<\/p>\n With 10 minutes now separating the chasers and the peloton, Bernal has moved up to 15th on the virtual GC, about 10 minutes behind Jorgenson in 10th. He still has a lot of ground to make up to get back into contention for the top ten, but is showing some fight by getting into the break today during what was a hectic start.<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T13:46:32.900Z<\/p>\n There are some signs the chase group are picking up the pace. Aular’s Movistar teammates Canal and Romo are offering some help to Lidl in the chase, and their deficit\u2019s come down a little from 3 minutes to 2:50.<\/p>\n 70KM TO GO<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T13:43:11.229Z<\/p>\n While Pedersen is the most notable name in the chase group, there are some other fast finishers he might not be comfortable taking to the finish with. Jakes Stewart is a sprinter who tends to go better on more undulating days like this; as is Orluis Aular, who already has a third-place finish to his name from the opening stage.<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T13:41:40.017Z<\/p>\n Three minutes now for VIne and Vervaeke. There’s no panic yet in the chase group, and they will be relying on the leaders getting fatigued at some stage, but this is a lot of ground to make up in the final 75km.<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T13:36:31.774Z<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T13:33:24.706Z<\/p>\n Vine and Vervaeke are still the quickest riders on the road at the moment, increading their lead over the chasers to 2:30, and on the peloton to 11 minutes.<\/p>\n 80KM TO GO<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T13:31:59.324Z<\/p>\n While this stage doesn\u2019t have the terrain to force a GC fight, there were developments yesterday in the race for the red jersey, which is boiling down to a two horse race between Jonas Vingegaard and Jo\u00e3o Almeida<\/p>\n Where Jo\u00e3o Almeida could win the 2025 Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a and why Jonas Vingegaard needs to win it emphatically \u2013 GC Analysis<\/a><\/p>\n 2025-09-07T13:26:51.651Z<\/p>\n Lidl are still being leant on to do all the work to bring back to two leaders – understandably so, given how Pedersen looks like the hot favourite to win the stage from this group.<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T13:23:15.081Z<\/p>\n Elsewhere in the world of cycling, it\u2019s an emotional day at the Tour of Britain where the great Geraint Thomas is competing in the final race day of his illustrious career. He\u2019s enjoying a fitting send off in front of his home crowd.<\/p>\n Geraint Thomas bids farewell to pro cycling at Tour of Britain<\/a><\/p>\n 2025-09-07T13:21:06.447Z<\/p>\n Two minutes now for Vine and Vervaeke.<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T13:17:57.245Z<\/p>\n Vine and Vervaeke continue to grown their lead, to 1:55. At what point will the chasers start to get worried?<\/p>\n 90KM TO GO<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T13:16:18.410Z<\/p>\n If this gap continues to grow, Lecerf, Bernal and Ciccone could climb back into GC contention. Lecerf has moved up to 11th virtually, Ciccone 13th, and Bernal 15th.<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T13:14:29.236Z<\/p>\n The gap between the leaders and the peloton has grown above 10 minutes for the first time today. This is one of the biggest gaps there have been all race.<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T13:11:36.991Z<\/p>\n Lidl-Trek are using their strength in numbers to lead the chase of Vine and Vervaeke.<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T13:06:10.450Z<\/p>\n Vine and Vervaeke have pushed out a little more, to 1:30 ahead of the chasers. The peloton are a long way adrift, at 9:45.<\/p>\n 100KM TO GO<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T13:03:26.409Z<\/p>\n The two leaders up the road, Vine and Vervaeke.<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T13:00:29.481Z<\/p>\n Vine and Vervaeke\u2019s lead continues to grow, up to 1:15. They\u2019re looking good, but have a very long way to go until the finish, and have committed to this move very early.<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T12:58:20.116Z<\/p>\n The sprinters teams are absent at the front of the peloton, with the work instead being left for Visma-Lease a Bike to do. They might have thrown in the towel already in terms of bringing this back for a bunch sprint.<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T12:57:03.693Z<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T12:54:15.411Z<\/p>\n Vine and Vervaeke still lead by 40 seconds, while the peloton is a distant 7:45.<\/p>\n 110KM TO GO<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T12:53:09.604Z<\/p>\n Here are the updated KOM rankings:<\/p>\n 1 Vine 61<\/p>\n 2 Vingegaard 39<\/p>\n 3 Vervaeke 32<\/p>\n 4 Almeida 29<\/p>\n 5 Ayuso 26<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T12:51:54.613Z<\/p>\n Vine took the points at the top of the climb ahead of Vervaeke, with Vinokurov leading the chasers behind for the 1 remaining point.<\/p>\n KOM – ALTO DE BARBEITOS <\/p>\n 2025-09-07T12:48:18.837Z<\/p>\n Vine and Vervaeke have opened a gap on the rest, of 30 seconds already.<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T12:46:36.157Z<\/p>\n Vine and Vervaeke have attacked, as they near the top of the climb. They’re going to fight for the KOM points.<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T12:43:49.728Z<\/p>\n Philipsen and his chase group have given up the ghost, sitting up and being absorbed by the peloton. Will he put his Alpecin riders to work to try and chase down this break?<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T12:41:02.478Z<\/p>\n Lidl-Trek are the best represented team in the lead group, with Ciccone and Pedersen joined by domestiques Bernard, Verona and Ghebreigzabhier. With the hardest climbing done, you expect they\u2019ll try to control the group to set up a Pedersen stage win.<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T12:37:09.202Z<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T12:35:35.850Z<\/p>\n The break is done with the steepest slopes of the Alto de Barbeitos, which now eases off to the top.<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T12:34:18.884Z<\/p>\n The break leads the peloton by a whole 6:38 now, with the Philipsen group in no-man’s land 3:15 behind the leaders.<\/p>\n 120KM TO GO<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T12:31:19.260Z<\/p>\n Here’s a glimpse of the large breakaway that leads the race.<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T12:28:08.608Z<\/p>\n Philipsen must be doubtful that the peloton will be able to chase down such a large group to bring things back for a bunch sprint, and so is taking matters into his own hands. But over 2 minutes behind the lead group, is surely on a hiding to nothing.<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T12:27:08.945Z<\/p>\n An interesting development as a small group has attacked out of the peloton – among them, Jasper Philipsen.<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T12:24:08.712Z<\/p>\n The break are about to start climbing the Alto de Barbeitos (11.9km at 3.8%). It\u2019s not that steep but might be a chance for the stronger climbers in the group to thin it out and drop some of the deadwood.<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T12:22:40.552Z<\/p>\n Over three minutes now for the break. The peloton have ceased the chase for now – the question from here on in is whether they can bring them back later on before the stage finish.<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T12:18:56.911Z<\/p>\n The gap’s grown to over two minutes. It’s going to be very hard for the peloton to control a break as big as this.<\/p>\n 130KM TO GO<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T12:13:37.681Z<\/p>\n The peloton had brought these groups close, but since joining together they\u2019re lead\u2019s going up again. It\u2019s now up to almost a minute and a half.<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T12:11:33.537Z<\/p>\n Ciccone and Bernal are the headline names in the group, but they\u2019re not actually the highest man on GC here – that\u2019s Junior Lecerf who\u2019s 13th at 18:57.<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T12:09:18.555Z<\/p>\n The chase group has joined the lead group, meaning we now have a massive lead group of about 40 riders.<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T12:08:50.946Z<\/p>\n The peloton aren\u2019t letting either of these groups go. Alpecin are now leading it, presumably a sign that their sprinter Jasper Philipsen is feeling good and believes he can survive these early climbs.<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T12:07:34.725Z<\/p>\n The front group is still about 20 seconds ahead of the chase group, the peloton not far behind at under a minute.<\/p>\n 140KM TO GO<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T12:05:08.380Z<\/p>\n Cofidis are leading the chase in the peloton for now. They might seem unlikely candidates to do so, but could be eying up a stage win for their sprinter Bryan Coquard if they can keep this breakaway controlled.<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T12:02:42.061Z<\/p>\n There are about 20 riders in this lead group, with the other chase group about 20 seconds behind containing around 15 riders.<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T12:00:32.996Z<\/p>\n The riders haven\u2019t got to enjoy much of a descent. After just a few kilometres they’re going uphill again, up a small uncategorised climb.<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T11:55:10.764Z<\/p>\n Vine and Otruba have been caught by the first chase group.<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T11:54:41.291Z<\/p>\n Vine and Otruba are 15 seconds ahead of the Pedersen\/Ciccone chase group, and 35 seconds ahead of the second chase group, with the peloton 1 minute behind.<\/p>\n 150KM TO GO<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T11:53:03.061Z<\/p>\n It\u2019s actually Kwiatkowski who was dropped by Vine, not Otruba. Otruba is second to the top, with Vervaeke, Pedersen and Ciccone leading the chase group over the top behind.<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T11:52:10.715Z<\/p>\n Vine is first over the line, to increase his lead in the KOM classification.<\/p>\n KOM – PUERTO DA GARGANTA<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T11:51:07.167Z<\/p>\n It\u2019s all very messy out there on the road. Another chase group has formed behind the Pedersen\/Ciccone group.<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T11:46:36.702Z<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T11:44:59.958Z<\/p>\n Unsurprisingly, the pace at the front is too much for Otruba, who’s been dropped by Vine and Kwiatkowski.<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T11:43:26.387Z<\/p>\n Pedersen and Ciccone also have 2 Lidl teammates with them. The team are putting lots into trying to make this break succeed, and finally deliver them a stage win.<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T11:42:26.773Z<\/p>\n As are Dunbar and Buitrago.<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T11:41:48.082Z<\/p>\n There’s some big names among them, too – Bernal and Ciccone are both here.<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T11:41:30.072Z<\/p>\n A mass of riders have joined the chase group behind containing Pedersen, which is now much bigger.<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T11:40:42.762Z<\/p>\n It’s easy to forget that Otruba has been up the road this whole time with all the action happening behind him. He’s just been caught by Vine and Kwiatkowki.<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T11:39:15.610Z<\/p>\n Vine and Kwiatkowski are still ahead of the rest of the chasers, by about 15 seconds.<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T11:36:56.736Z<\/p>\n Pedersen and Vine, helping initiate the break.<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T11:31:07.061Z<\/p>\n Several riders who are on more than 20 points already in the KOM classification are in the chase group: Vervaeke, Vinokurov, Romo and Nicolau.<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T11:28:34.624Z<\/p>\n Otruba is still out in front as the lone leader, 50 seconds ahead of Vine and Kwiatkowski, 1:20 ahead of the Pedersen chase group, and 1:30 ahead of the peloton.<\/p>\n 160KM TO GO<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T11:26:53.569Z<\/p>\n The riders will be climbing for some while yet – the Garganta is a long effort, lasting 16.4km at an average of 5.1%.<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T11:25:45.768Z<\/p>\n Vine and Kwiatkowski have gone clear from the rest of the chase group, which had continued to swell as more riders leaped out of the peloton into it.<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T11:24:47.603Z<\/p>\n The riders at the start.<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T11:23:29.579Z<\/p>\n The peloton isn’t letting them go, keeping them at little more than 10 seconds.<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T11:22:52.119Z<\/p>\n Micha\u0142 Kwiatkowski has joined this group too.<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T11:21:28.502Z<\/p>\n There are about 10 riders in this chase group, including Leemreize who has been caught by them.<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T11:20:18.613Z<\/p>\n Both the mountains leader of Jay Vine and – you guessed it – the green jersey of Mads Pedersen are in this chase group.<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T11:19:34.423Z<\/p>\n The riders are on the climb, and some are on the move. Gijs Leemreize is pursuing Otruba, and there\u2019s another group forming behind him.<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T11:16:41.138Z<\/p>\n Otruba already has a gap of 1:30, but that might change once the riders start climbing the difficult gradients of Puerto a Garganta.<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T11:14:08.794Z<\/p>\n Jakub Otruba is the first rider to attack and get a gap.<\/p>\n 2025-09-07T11:11:19.205Z<\/p>\n And they’re off!<\/p>\n![\"MONFORTE](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/tcx8Srv8Pb222DtgqfvpH.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n![\"Pro-Palestinian](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/7o7dJp7YJVtjrZAxcYXDFN.jpg\")
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![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/yJWSBTiJkRCxssbijdt5yA.jpg\")
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