Yates stays in red in Spain as Viviani claims a second Vuelta stage victory
Britain’s Simon Yates recovered from a puncture to retain the overall lead at the 2018 Vuelta a Espana as Italian Elia Viviani claimed a second stage victory.
Quick-step rider Viviani, winner on stage three, edged out world champion Peter Sagan in a sprint finish over a mostly flat 177km course from Salamanca to Bermillo de Sayago.
Viviani pushed in front following a battle in the last 200 metres to cross almost two bike lengths clear, with countryman Giacomo Nizzolo taking third place.
As the race resumed with the tenth stage following a rest day, Jesus Ezquerra (Burgos) and Tiago Machado (Katusha-alpecin) formed a two-man breakaway, but were eventually reeled back into the peloton. Yates maintained ownership of the red jersey after the Mitcheltonscott rider was helped to get back on track into the bunch when his bike needed some mechanical repairs heading into the closing 14km.
Nairo Quintana and Wilco Kelderman were also among those to suffer punctures.
Yates is, though, just one second ahead of Alejandro Valverde in the general classifications, with the Spaniard’s Movistar team-mate Quintana some 14 seconds adrift.
Stage 11 will be over 208.8kms from Mombuey to Luintra, which will see one second and three third-category climbs.
Meanwhile, at the OVO Energy Tour of Britain, Julian Alaphilippe sprinted to victory on stage three.
The Frenchman got the better of Patrick Bevin (BMC Racing) and Emils Liepins (ONE Pro Cycling) to take the stage for his Quick-step Floors team.
The adaptable 26-year-old, who claimed the King of the Mountains jersey at the Tour de France, cut the gap at the top of the standings to two seconds.
Bevin’s second-placed finish was enough to take the leader’s green jersey ahead of Cameron Meyer (Mitchelton-scott). In a bunch finish, Bob Jungels set things up perfectly for Quick-step team-mate Alaphilippe, who pipped Bevin and Liepins, with British rider Ethan Hayter coming home in fourth. 0 Simon Yates: Recovered from puncture problems.