Spain took their first stage win of the 2016 Vuelta a España yesterday when David de la Cruz (Etixx-Quick Step) claimed victory with a powerful finale up Alto del Naranco. It was the first pro win for De La Cruz who also took the red jersey in the process.
De La Cruz had broken away with 11 other riders and the Catalan rider dropped his last breakaway companion, Belgian Dries Devenyns (IAM Cycling), in the last 600 metres to give his Etixx-Quick Step team their third stage victory in this Vuelta.
The peloton led all day by previous race leader Nairo Quintana’s Movistar team-mates seemed content to let the red jersey slip away, and they crossed the line 2’55” after De La Cruz.
De La Cruz now leads Quintana by 22 seconds and Alejandro Valverde by 41 seconds ahead of another crucial stage finishing at the Lagos de Covadonga.
Here are the onboard highlights from the stage.
