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Froome’s Vuelta lead slashed by Nibali
LOS MACHUCOS (Spain): Chris Froome’s Vuelta a Espana lead was cut by 42 seconds to 1:16 over Vincenzo Nibali as Austrian Stefan Denifl claimed a memorable win on Stage 17.
Denifl attacked out of a breakaway with 5km to go to hold off a brave chase by Alberto Contador to win a brutal, mountainous 180.5km stage from Villadiego Los Machucos in 4’48:52.
Contador was 28 seconds back to aid his chances of making the general classification podium with Colombia’s Miguel Angel Lopez 1:04 down in third.
Froome has looked assured in his bid to become just the third rider to win the Tour de France and Vuelta in the same year.
But he seemed to pay for his efforts in winning Tuesday’s time trial as he cracked on the final climb and couldn’t stay with Nibali.
The Italian finished alongside Lopez in fourth with Froome down in 14th.
“I paid a little bit for yesterday’s effort for sure, but I am still in a fantastic position,” said Froome.
“Still over a minute to second place, so it’s a good buffer and I’m confident about the next few days ahead.”
The Briton has three more competitive stages to defend his lead before Sunday’s traditional parade around Madrid with the queen stage up the Alto de l’Angliru still to come tomorrow.
“If you include yesterday, this is a fiveday block now,” added Froome.
“I’m taking it one day at a time, knowing that Stage 20 is going to be the hardest day of this block.
“Certainly any effort yesterday, today, it’s all going to compound up into Stage 20 in the grand finale up Angliru.
“Otherwise, I’m feeling good, optimisitc about what lies ahead.
Denifl’s win is by a distance the biggest in Irish team Aqua Blue Cycling’s short history.
Aqua Blue needed an invite to take part in the race in their first year as a professional team and also had to overcome the misfortune of their team bus being hit by an arson attack earlier in the event.
“It’s been an amazing year for our team,” said Denifl.
“In the first year in pro cycling we are here at the Vuelta and winning a stage, it is perfect.” — AFP