Vuelta a España (st. 11)
El altoaragonés de Movistar Team, en una escapada numerosa de la que saltó el guipuzcoano Iturria (EUS) en los últimos veinticinco kilómetros para imponerse en solitario. Sin cambios en la general.
Basque Mikel Iturria (EUS) made his courage and strength count after an attack 25km from the finish in Urdax to claim a famous victory on Wednesday’s stage 11 of the 2019 Vuelta a España, starting in Saint-Palais (France) and finishing in the Navarra region the Movistar Team hails from.
The Telefónica-backed squad did not miss its chance to be part of the day’s breakaway, entering the 15-man early move with Jorge Arcas, already present at Saturday’s (st. 8) winning escape towards Igualada. Despite repeated attacks from the Sabiñánigo native to reach the front, his effort was bested by stronger climbers which took Jorge down to 12th over the line, 20″ behind Iturria.
It was an otherwise calm day for Alejandro Valverde, Nairo Quintana and the main GC contenders, after a big effort on Tuesday’s ITT and just before two stages with demanding elevations in northern Spain. Thursday will see the riders finish in Bilbao after 171km with three difficult, final rated ascents: Urruztimendi (Cat-2), El Vivero (Cat-3) and most notably Arraiz (Cat-3), with 2.2km at 12.2% average gradient, crested just 8k from the end.
Cover picture (c): BettiniPhoto