Lampre-Merida rider Valerio Conti claimed the biggest prize of his career when he powered to a solo victory on the 13th stage of the Vuelta a Espana, attacking a reduced group of breakaway riders with less than 20 kilometres left on the 213.4-km hilly ride between Bilbao and Urdax-Dantxarinea.
The 23-year-old Conti, who was part of the initial 12-man breakaway as the GC favourites kept quiet on a hot day in the Basque country, gave his team their first stage win in this year’s race. Nairo Quintana retained the overall leader’s red jersey, remaining 54 seconds ahead of Chris Froome after a quiet day in the peloton. The peloton finished almost 34 minutes off the pace.
Saturday’s 14th stage is a brutal 196-km mountain trek from Urdax-Dantxarinea to the col d’Aubisque, featuring four categorised climbs.
Here are onboard highlights from the stage:
