The 12th stage of the Vuelta took riders from Ourense Termal to Estación de Montaña de Manzaneda, covering a challenging 137 km course. Ourense Termal, known for its renowned thermal spas, is a historic town in the province of Ourense in Galicia, offering a picturesque start to the stage. The race concluded at Estación de Montaña de Manzaneda, a popular mountain resort nestled in the rugged terrain of the Galician highlands. The stage featured a demanding climb to the finish, with the Category 1 pass at 1,488 meters elevating the race to new heights as riders tackled the final ascent.
Career launch for Pablo Castrillo Zapater
In today’s stage, Spanish cyclist Pablo Castrillo Zapater of EKP claimed victory with a time of 3 hours, 36 minutes, and 12 seconds. Michael Poole from DFP secured second place, finishing 8 seconds behind, while Marc Soler from UAD crossed the line in third, 16 seconds off the pace.
Castrillo Zapater, born in 2021, marked a significant milestone by making his Grand Tour debut in this year’s Vuelta. His victory at Estación de Montaña de Manzaneda is a promising start to what could be a remarkable career in professional cycling.
A fairly quiet overall ranking
Today’s stage did not bring any changes to the general classification or the jersey standings. The red jersey remains with Ben O’Connor, while the best climber and sprinter jerseys are unchanged. With the current standings holding steady, the anticipated shifts in the rankings will have to wait a bit longer, keeping fans on edge for the next opportunity for a major shake-up.
Another high altitude arrival
Tomorrow’s stage promises to be a challenging mountain affair, featuring four passes, including a decisive finish atop a Category 1 climb. With the tough terrain and elevation, it’s set to test the riders’ endurance and climbing skills. Roglic, in particular, may see this as a crucial opportunity to gain ground on O’Connor and make his move in the general classification. Expect an intense race with significant shifts in the standings as the peloton tackles this demanding route.
