Cycling – Vuelta a Espana ’18 Stage 15: Thibaut Pinot Wins

England’s Simon Yates expanded his Vuelta a Espana lead, as Thibaut Pinot guaranteed a summit triumph on stage 15.

The French rider tore far from a tip top gathering of red shirt rivals at Lagos de Covadonga, an uncategorised move with segments up to 20%.

Miguel Angel Lopez completed second, with Yates third, picking up time on Nairo Quintana and Alejandro Valverde.

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English Mitchelton-Scott rider Yates, now drives Valverde by 26 seconds, while Quintana is 33 seconds behind. He started the day 20 seconds clear of Valverde and 25 clear of the Spaniard’s Colombian Movistar team pioneer Quintana.

Groupama-FDJ rider Pinot’s definitive assault from 6km out, allowed him to complete 28 seconds in front of Astana’s Colombian Lopez and 30 in front of Yates. This likewise guaranteed 10 extra seconds for completing first as he climbed to seventh place in the general standings.

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Having started the day at 2 minutes and 46 seconds behind Yates, he was maybe afforded space to push clear on the cloud-shrouded slants in Asturias.

Not far off behind him, there were a progression of energising assaults and counter assaults, as Yates attempted more than once to open a hole on Valverde and Quintana, yet each time he was firmly stamped and pursued down.

Riders who climbed Lagos de Covadonga faster than Thibaut Pinot did today: Tonkov, Zulle, Chava Jimenez, Escartin, Simoni, Sastre, Heras, Menchov and Quintana. A select club. #LaVuelta18

— Mihai Cazacu (@faustocoppi60) 9 September 2018

Be that as it may, he did in any event figure out how to guarantee the four extra seconds on offer for third place, likewise opening a little hole on the two of his fundamental opponents in doing as such.

Monday is a rest day before Tuesday’s a 32km individual time preliminary from Santillana del Mar to Torrelavega in Cantabria.

Thibaut Pinot completes the collection. Stage winner in all the 3 Grand Tours. Lots of panache as always, never looked behind (there was fog anyway). Brilliant to have a champion like him in Los Lagos winners list. ? #LaVuelta18 pic.twitter.com/IbZxZiBCRG

— Mihai Cazacu (@faustocoppi60) 9 September 2018