La Vuelta | Live recap stage 11 – rested legs, flat run-in, finish at Laguna Negra

This is not a live blog, but we will keep you informed of the latest developments during each stage of the Vuelta a España 2023. Think of this article as a live recap to smoothly scroll through the highlights. Commentators Jeroen Vanbelleghem and Karsten Kroon regularly summarize the day so far. We do the same here, including videos. You really don’t miss anything!

Ganna runs out of steam, but Thomas comes up short

The Italian who won the time trial yesterday, sacrificed himself completely for another stage victory for his team today, but Geraint Thomas was unable to finish the impressive work of his teammate. The Brit arrived with too many fast men in the final kilometer and it was Jesus Herrada who turned out to be the fastest.

The young Romain Gregoire finished second, just ahead of Andres Kron. Thomas eventually finished sixth, not far ahead of Ganna.

Refugees keep powder dry

Julius Johansen is the first of the escapees to attack, but the Dane from Intermarché-Circus-Wanty cannot get away. Paul Ourselin gets some space not much later, but his fate also seems sealed when behind him Filippo Ganna nestles in the lead and closes the gap in the service of Geraint Thomas.

Large group wins

After many unsuccessful attempts, the flight of the day has finally been formed. Ineos-Grenadiers leader Geraint Thomas, among others, is there. Can the Welshman finish the good work of his teammate Filippo Ganna and give his team the second stage victory in a row?

Thomas is certainly not the only man in the front who has to cope with these difficult closing kilometers. Jesus Herrada, the young Frenchman Romain Grégoire and Andreas Kron, who already won a stage this Vuelta, will also look forward to the final.

A lot has happened since the rest day

A lot has happened in the Vuelta since the finish of Sunday’s stage, even though less than 26 kilometers (against the clock) have been cycled. It was a hellish move, with bad weather, planes that had to divert and a bus ride to make up for the lost ground.

What followed was a well-deserved rest day after a tough first week, followed by the time trial. This was especially important for the specialists and men of the classification. Filippo Ganna won, Remco Evenepoel’s time was a bit disappointing and Sepp Kuss was not caught up for a change.

La Vuelta | Interview with Remco Evenepoel after the time trial

Vingegaard as a servant?

This ensures that Kuss is still in possession of the red jersey. He has a minute lead, but behind that the margins are still small. Evenepoel is right in front of Primoz Roglic, although Jonas Vingegaard is slightly behind. Perhaps Vingegaard will now take on a more serving role.

Perhaps a new twist for overall victory will follow on the final climb of stage 11, which is one of the first category. The riders set course for Leguna Negra de Vinuesa, a climb of 6.5 kilometers in length with an average gradient of 6.8 percent. There are some strips with outliers of up to 8 or 10 percent, for example in the final meters.

La Vuelta | Interview with Primoz Roglic after the time trial

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From Barcelona to Madrid: the 78th Vuelta a España can rightly be called ‘El Clásico’! Primoz Roglic and Jonas Vingegaard vs. Remco Evenepoel and what can mega talent Juan Ayuso do? Don’t miss anything about the Vuelta at Eurosport and discovery+.
2023-09-06 14:50:00
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