Froome one stage away from completing Vuelta triumph

Chris Froome virtually secured his first Vuelta a Espana victory by coming third in the decisive stage 20 as Alberto Contador took stage glory with a typically brave attack on the Alto de L’Angliru, a dream finale to his eventful career. The Spaniard, who is retiring from cycling after La Vuelta, burst free of the breakaway group at the start of the final climb in the short, yet punishing, 117.5km stage, the last mountaintop finish of the contest. But as long as Froome avoids an accident in the last of the 21 stages today – a procession through Madrid – the Briton will make history by becoming the first cyclist since French great Bernard Hinault in 1978 to win the Vuelta and the Tour de France in the same season. Nicolas Roche tried to go in an early break but ended up 27th on the day, though he moved up to 14th overall after Spain’s David De La Cruz crashed out. Ireland’s Conor Dunne is currently last of the 159 remaining riders but he will be thrilled to finish his first Grand Tour event.