MADRID, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- Sepp Kuss (Team Jumbo-Visma) won the 15th stage of the Vuelta de Espana cycle race on Sunday on a fantastic day for his team.

The 24-year-old American attacked his companions in a breakaway near the foot of the 7-kilometer Puerto de Acebo, which was the final climb on a testing 154.4 kilometers stage containing four steep categorized climbs.

Kuss was able to ride away to finish 39 seconds ahead of second place Ruben Guereiro (Katusha-Alpecin) and claim his first ever 'Grand Tour' win.

Meanwhile the young America's team-mate and overall race leader Primoz Roglic enjoyed an easier day than he probably expected as he was protected by his team until the final climb.

Second place Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) tried to attack Roglic on the final climb, which contained ramps of around 18 percent gradient, but the Slovenian was able to match the Spaniard pedal stroke for stroke and the two rode away together to further lengthen their advantage over third place Tadej Pogacar and fourth place Miguel Angel Lopez, who lost a further 40 seconds.

Meanwhile Nairo Quintana finished a further minute down the road to see his podium options all but disappear.

Roglic maintains his two minutes and 25 seconds lead at the head of the race ahead of another testing mountain stage on Monday, which is the last before Tuesday's second rest day. Enditem

Related

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)