Yates charge cuts Herrada’s lead in half

Simon Yates cut in half Jesus Herrada’s Spanish Vuelta lead in a 13th stage won by Oscar Rodriguez yesterday.

Rodriguez dominated the difficult climb up La Camperona to clinch the victory in the 175-kilometre (109-mile) stage from Carreno to Sabero in northwestern Spain.

Herrada’s lead of more than three minutes was cut to 1 min 42 secs after a great mountain charge by Yates.

“The legs are really tired,” Herrada said. “I have had a cold for two days, I can feel the body is at the limit. I suffered a lot.”

Veteran Nairo Quintana had an even better run up the mountain and was the first contender to finish, moving into third place overall, eight seconds behind Yates.

Riders face another demanding mountain stage today, a 171-kilometre (106-mile) ride from Cistierna to Nava.

Julian Alaphilippe seized a potentially decisive lead on the sixth stage of the Tour of Britain in Cumbria. Team Sky’s Wout Poels won on the 168.3-kilometres route from Barrow-in-furness to Whinlatter pass to move to second overall, 17 seconds behind Frenchman Alaphilippe (Quickstep-floors).

But with two flat stages to come – today’s 215.6km route from West Bridford to Mansfield and tomorrow’s final 77km London stage – Poels’ chances of overall success appear remote.

Poels won by two seconds from Alaphilippe, with Briton Hugh Carthy (Education First) third, 12 seconds adrift.