Daniel Moreno takes Vuelta a Espana stage nine and race lead
Local man Daniel Moreno (Katusha) scooped the stage win on the tough final ramp in Valdepeñas de Jaén on Sunday to sensationally take the Vuelta a Espana overall lead.
Moreno needed to win the stage and finish seven seconds ahead of overnight leader Nicolas Roche (Saxo-Tinkoff) to top the table. Agonisingly for the Irishman, Moreno finished eight seconds ahead to snatch the red leader's jersey.
Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) finished second on the stage after chasing hard after Moreno, with Moreno's team-mate Joaquim Rodriguez in third.
Moreno heads up the general classification one second ahead of Roche, with Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) in third at 20 seconds.
Rowe in the break
Earlier in the day, British Grand Tour debutant Luke Rowe (Sky) was part of a five-man move. He joined Johnny Hoogerland (Vacansoleil-DCM), Lloyd Mondory (Ag2r), Anthony Roux (FDJ) and Javier Aramendia (Caja Rural). The quintet worked well together to build up a five-minute plus advantage, but were reeled back in with 26km to go.
As the peloton rolled onto the lower slope of the day's only classified climb of Alto de los Frailes, Amets Txurruka (Caja Rural) attacked. His time out front was short lived, and as first Robert Kiserlovski (RadioShack) and then Edvald Boasson Hagen (Sky) had a go.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Boasson Hagen accelerated quickly, passing Kiserlovski, cresting the climb solo and then hitting the descent with around 15 seconds advantage. Katusha took up the chase, stringing the bunch out on the dusty, twisting roads.
The tiring Boasson Hagen was caught with 2km to go as the remnants of the peloton hit the final, steep ramp. Moreno launched his attack first, quickly distancing everyone despite a concerted chase by Valverde. The stage win and red jersey were his.
Monday's stage 10 should force the overall contenders to show their hands, particularly before Tuesday's first rest day. The finale concludes atop Alto de Hazallanas, a 15.8km climb at an average of five per cent but with sections at 18 per cent.
Results
Vuelta a Espana 2013, stage nine: Antequera to Valdepeñas de Jaén, 163.7km
1. Daniel Moreno (Spa) Katusha in 4-18-57
2. Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Movistar at 4 secs
3. Joaquim Rodriguez (Spa) Katusha at 4 secs
4. Nicolas Roche (Irl) Saxo-Tinkoff at 8 secs
5. Samuel Sanchez (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi at 9 secs
6. Rinaldo Nocentini (Ita) Ag2r at 9 secs
7. Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Astana at 9 secs
8. Philippe Gilbert (Bel) BMC Racing at 13 secs
9. Warren Barguil (Fra) Argos-Shimano at 13 secs
10. Igor Anton (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi at 15 secs
Overall classification after stage nine
1. Daniel Moreno (Spa) Katusha in 35-58-34
2. Nicolas Roche (Irl) Saxo-Tinkoff at 1 sec
3. Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Astana at 20 secs
4. Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Movistar at 22 secs
5. Chris Horner (USA) RadioShack-Leopard at 28 secs
6. Joaquim Rodriguez (Spa) Katusha at 56 secs
7. Leopold Konig (Cze) NetApp-Endura at 1-09
8. Haimar Zubeldia (Spa) RadioShack-Leopard at 1-10
9. Rigoberto Uran (Col) Sky at 1-24
10. Ivan Santaromita (Ita) BMC Racing at 1-25
Luke Rowe in escape
Andalucia
Edvald Boasson Hagen attacks
Daniel Moreno wins
Daniel Moreno in the race lead
Vuelta a Espana 2013: Related links
Vuelta a Espana 2013: Coverage index
Vuelta a Espana 2013: Stage reports
Stage eight: Konig wins, Roche takes lead
Stage seven: Stybar wins from escape
Stage six: Morkov wins after Martin's day-long escape
Stage five: Matthews wins in Lago de Sanabria
Stage four: Moreno wins tough stage
Stage three: Horner takes charge with stage win and overall lead
Stage two: Nicolas Roche attacks to win
Stage one: Astana takes opening team time trial
Vuelta a Espana 2013: Photo galleries
Stage eight photo gallery
Stage seven photo gallery
Stage six photo gallery
Stage five photo gallery
Stage four photo gallery
Stage three photo gallery
Stage two photo gallery
Stage one photo gallery
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Nigel Wynn worked as associate editor on CyclingWeekly.com, he worked almost single-handedly on the Cycling Weekly website in its early days. His passion for cycling, his writing and his creativity, as well as his hard work and dedication, were the original driving force behind the website’s success. Without him, CyclingWeekly.com would certainly not exist on the size and scale that it enjoys today. Nigel sadly passed away, following a brave battle with a cancer-related illness, in 2018. He was a highly valued colleague, and more importantly, an exceptional person to work with - his presence is sorely missed.
-
Is aero important when riding gravel?
While seeking aerodynamic improvement is regarded as conventional wisdom on the road, should the same apply to gravel racing?
By Andy Turner Published
-
Stephen Roche: 'Hopefully I can personally hand Pogačar the keys to the 'Triple Crown of Cycling' club'
The Irishman, who achieved the feat in 1987, praises Slovenian's 'superhuman achievement'
By James Shrubsall Published