Today’s 14th stage of the Vuelta took the riders on a challenging 200km journey from Villafranca del Bierzo to Villablino, a route characterized by the rugged terrain typical of the region. Villafranca del Bierzo, a historic town nestled in the heart of the Bierzo region, served as the starting point, known for its beautiful medieval architecture and picturesque vineyards. The race concluded in Villablino, a town surrounded by the mountains of the Laciana Valley, renowned for its rich mining history. Along the way, the cyclists faced two significant climbs, including the grueling category 1 Puerto de Leitariegos, which was pivotal in shaping the day’s results.
Van Aert and Groves fight for every victory
In a thrilling sprint finish, Australian cyclist Kaden Groves (ADC) clinched his second victory of this year’s Vuelta, crossing the finish line in Villablino with a time of 04h 21′ 34″. He narrowly edged out Wout van Aert (TVL), who finished in the same time but had to settle for second place. Corbin Strong (IPT) also crossed the line with the same time, securing third place. Groves’ win today solidifies his position as a formidable sprinter in this Vuelta, proving once again his ability to deliver under pressure.
Van Aert keeps his distance for the sprinter’s jersey
Since today’s stage concluded with a mass sprint, there were no significant changes in the overall classification. Despite Kaden Groves’ impressive performance in securing his second stage win, it wasn’t enough to pose a real threat to Wout van Aert in the battle for the best sprinter’s jersey. Van Aert continues to hold a comfortable lead in that competition, and Groves, despite his victories, still has ground to cover to challenge the Belgian’s dominance in the sprints.
The end for O’Connor?
Tomorrow’s stage is set to be one of the most challenging of this Vuelta, featuring the infamous Col de Cuitu Negru. As one of the toughest climbs in the race, it promises to be a decisive day for the general classification. This could be Primož Roglič’s golden opportunity to close the final minute gap between him and Ben O’Connor, making the battle for the red jersey even more intense. All eyes will be on the Slovenian as he seeks to reclaim the top spot in the standings.
