Dumoulin holds off Aru as Roche wins Vuelta a España stage 18
Nicolas Roche wins stage 18 of the Vuelta a España as Tom Dumoulin holds on to his three-second advantage over Fabio Aru in the general classification
Tom Dumoulin (Giant-Alpecin) neutralised Fabio Aru's (Astana) every move on a thrilling stage 18 of the Vuelta a España, hanging on to his three second advantage over the Italian into the race's final three stages.
Nicolas Roche (Team Sky), part of the large breakaway, outsprinted Trek's Haimar Zubeldia for the stage win as the group of general classification favourites crossed the line together 38 seconds later.
It wasn't for the lack of trying on Aru's part, though, with the Astana rider attacking numerous times on the first category climb that came with 35km to race, but Dumoulin was not to be shaken from his wheel
Sitting 1-15 down on Dumoulin, Joaquim Rodriguez's need to attack is much more severe than Aru's and the Spaniard attempted to go up the road with Katusha teammate Angel Vicioso at at the start of the climb but to no avail.
Shortly after that attack Astana ramped up the pace in the peloton in an attempt to shake off Dumoulin's support riders and leave him isolated before the final climb.
Meanwhile up ahead, Europcar's Cyril Gautier, leaving for Ag2r La Mondiale at the end of the season, was staking his claim for the stage win by attacking off the breakaway group. That charge was later taken up by Roche, who was joined by Zubeldia over the top of the climb to start the descent towards the finish.
Back on the ascent, though, Aru tried time and time again to attack Dumoulin, but the Dutchman was not to be moved as if he was attached to the Italian's bike by a rope.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
With 19km to go, 15km to go and then near the top of the climb Aru got out of the saddle to try and pull away, but the red jersey was never far from his back wheel.
On the descent Roche and Zubeldia increased their lead to nearly a minute as Dumoulin, Aru, Quintana and co matched each other on the downhill.
With 5km to go the roads flattened out, with Dumoulin even finding himself a couple of dozen metres ahead of Aru at one point. Instead of eeking out more seconds on the Italian, Dumoulin instead sat up and waited to settle behind Aru's wheel once more.
Even at the finish, after Roche settled the stage, Aru put his foot on the gas but Dumoulin nonchalantly wheeled over the line immediately after him to cross off another stage and take the race into the final three days.
Vuelta a España stage 18, Roa - Riaza (204km)
1. Nicolas Roche (Ire) Team Sky, 5-03-59
2. Haimar Zubeldia (Esp) Trek, st
3. Jose Goncalves (Esp) Caja Rural - Seguros RGA, at 18s
4. Alejandro Valverde (Esp) Movistar, at 38s
5. Esteban Chaves (Col) Orica-GreenEdge, st
6. Joaquim Rodriguez (Esp) Katusha, st
7. Pieter Serry (Bel) Etixx-Quick Step, st
8. Adam Hansen (Aus) Lotto-Soudal, st
9. Gianluca Brambilla (Ita) Etixx-Quick Step, st
10. Domenico Pozzovivo (Ita) Ag2r La Mondiale, st
Overall standings after 18 stages
1. Tom Dumoulin (Ned) Giant-Alpecin, 73-45-13
2. Fabio Aru (Ita) Astana, at 3s
3. Joaquim Rodriguez (Esp) Katusha, at 1-15
4. Rafal Majka (Pol) Tinkoff-Saxo, at 2-22
5. Nairo Quintana (Col) Movistar, at 2-53
6. Alejandro Valverde (Esp) Movistar, at 3-15
7. Esteban Chaves (Col) Orica-GreenEdge, at 3-30
8. Dani Moreno (Esp) Katusha, at 3-46
9. Mikel Nieve (Esp) Astana, at 4-10
10. Louis Meintjes (RSA) MTN-Qhubeka, at 6-10
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
Stuart Clarke is a News Associates trained journalist who has worked for the likes of the British Olympic Associate, British Rowing and the England and Wales Cricket Board, and of course Cycling Weekly. His work at Cycling Weekly has focused upon professional racing, following the World Tour races and its characters.
-
Dozens of riders left stranded as National Cycling League announces 2024 season hiatus citing 'current economic challenges in domestic and global cycling industry'
Effective immediately, the NCL paused all its operations in order to focus on restructuring and rebuilding for the 2025 season.
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
Welsh Grand Départ for first ever Tour of Britain Women, British Cycling confirms
Race will get underway in Welshpool before concluding in Greater Manchester four days later
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'I’m just here to enjoy it': Tom Pidcock on his surprise Paris-Roubaix appearance
British rider was a late addition to the Ineos Grenadiers team for the race across the pavé
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'It's not normal that riders should risk their life' - Ex-pro cyclist calls for action on crashes
Nicolas Roche spoke of his crash at the 2019 Vuelta a España, which he "never really recovered from" after Itzulia crash
By Adam Becket Published
-
The art of peaking with Geraint Thomas: 'It’s easy to take for granted that 9 times out of 10 I hit my goals'
The Welshman also calls for better governance in the sport to help it grow further
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers’ 500th victory was claimed by a woman; why do they still not have a team?
The British squad is one of the richest in cycling - but Ineos still won’t stump up for a women’s team
By Adam Becket Published
-
'This is so much more than a number': Six of the best Ineos Grenadiers wins as team claims 500th race victory
Pauline Ferrand-Prévot took the 500th team win at the weekend
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Tom Pidcock 'wouldn’t be surprised' to see attacks before the Poggio at Milan-San Remo
British rider will lead the line for Ineos Grenadiers alongside Filippo Ganna
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers delighted with Egan Bernal’s late cameo on stage one of Paris-Nice
Colombian snapped up key bonus seconds in the general classification battle on run in to Les Mureaux
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
‘It doesn’t change anything’ - Tom Pidcock’s coach on Tadej Pogačar at Strade Bianche
Kurt Bogaerts says the pressure is off for Pidcock as he looks to defend the title he emphatically won last year
By Tom Thewlis Published