Alberto Contador wins final Vuelta a Espana mountain test
Chris Froome attempts to put time into Alberto Contador in mountain finale, but Contador is too strong


The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Thank you for signing up to The Pick. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo) strengthened his overall lead in the Vuelta a Espana on Sunday, winning the race's final mountain test and putting more time into his rivals.
Chris Froome (Sky) placed second, with Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) in third.
Przemyslaw Niemiec (Lampre-Merida) was the sole survivor of the day's original four-man escape group that also included Wouter Poels (Omega Pharma-QuickStep), Jerome Coppel (Cofidis) and Maxime Mederel (Europcar). Niemiec ploughed a lone furrow at the start of the final climb of Puerto de Ancares, but the Sky-led peloton whittled down his advantage and he was caught just after the 10km-to-go marker.
Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha) attacked with 8.5km to go, and Valverde tried to follow but dropped back and was caught by Froome, Contador and Fabio Aru (Astana). Froome and Contador then dropped Valverde and Aru to catch Rodriguez with 5.5km to go, with Froome setting the pace. Rodriguez paid for his earlier efforts was distanced with 4km to go.
Froome continued setting the pace, with Contador glued to his rear wheel. Contador then attacked Froome in the final kilometre, dropping the British rider and taking the stage win to cement his race lead.
Just Sunday's final, short 9.7km individual time trial remains to sort out the winner of the 2014 Vuelta a Espana - but it looks highly unlikely that anyone can overhaul Contador now.
Results
Vuelta a Espana 2014, stage 20: Santo Estevo de Ribas de Sil to Puerto de Ancares, 185.7km
1. Alberto Contador (Spa) Tinkoff-Saxo
2. Chris Froome (GBr) Sky at 16 secs
3. Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Movistar at 57 secs
4. Joaquim Rodriguez (Spa) Katusha at 1-18
5. Fabio Aru (Ita) Astana at 1-21
6. Warren Barguil (Fra) Giant-Shimano at 2-51
7. Giampaolo Caruso (Ita) Katusha at 2-55
8. Samuel Sanchez (Spa) BMC Racing at 2-58
9. Daniel Navarro (Spa) Cofidis at 3-15
10. Damiano Caruso (Ita) Cannondale at 3-20
Overall classification after stage 20
1. Alberto Contador (Spa) Tinkoff-Saxo in 81-12-13
2. Chris Froome (GBr) Sky at 1-37
3. Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Movistar at 2-35
4. Joaquim Rodriguez (Spa) Katusha at 3-57
5. Fabio Aru (Ita) Astana at 4-46
6. Samuel Sanchez (Spa) BMC Racing at 10-07
7. Daniel Martin (Irl) Garmin-Sharp at 10-24
8. Warren Barguil (Fra) Giant-Shimano at 12-13
9. Daniel Navarro (Spa) Cofidis at 13-09
10. Damiano Caruso (Ita) Cannondale at 13-15
Vuelta a Espana peloton pays tribute to Civil Guard who lost life during race
Peloton holds tribute to Eusebio Garcia Flores, the Civil Guard who died during Monday's stage of the Vuelta a Espana
Adam Hansen takes solo win on Vuelta a Espana stage 19
Adam Hansen surprises sprinters with solo win; No change to top 10 overall
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
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!

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.
-
-
When is Black Friday 2023 and how to find the best bike deals
We're already seeking out the best money saving cycling deals in the run up to Black Friday
By Anna Marie Abram Published
-
CW Asks: What three things do you wish you'd known when you first started cycling?
What we wish we had known when we first started cycling.
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
Is Chris Froome - in 2023 - a professional cyclist, or an influencer?
The seven-time Grand Tour winner hasn't raced since July, but has taken to being interesting on social media
By Adam Becket Published
-
Chris Froome 'absolutely not' worth multi-million euro salary says his team boss
The four-time Tour de France winner was not selected for this year's Tour de France for performance reasons, Israel-Premier Tech boss Sylvan Adams says
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
Chris Froome not selected for Tour de France 2023
38-year-old misses out on 'ultimate goal' as Israel-Premier Tech confirm eight-man squad
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Back to Africa: Chris Froome on going back to his roots, his future and cycling's new generation
He’s come full circle, but is there time for another loop? We talk to the four-time Tour champ about his and African cycling’s future
By Adam Becket Published
-
'Rough day' for Chris Froome after crash and punctures kill best chance of victory since 2018
The 37-year-old was up the road in a solo move for over 50km at the Tour du Rwanda on Thursday
By Adam Becket Published
-
Chris Froome highlights dangers of long Covid after battle with virus
Four-time Tour de France champion warns of cardiovascular impact and says his VO2 max took a hit after illness
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Chris Froome labels WorldTour relegation a ‘death sentence for many teams’
Four-time Tour de France winner says UCI points system needs overhaul as Israel-PremierTech face relegation from the WorldTour
By Tom Thewlis Last updated
-
Chris Froome still holds out hope for fifth Tour de France win
Israel-Premier Tech rider says the dream is "always there"
By Tom Davidson Published