La Vuelta
Roglič takes third on Alto de Aitana
Roglič finishes third on a demanding Stage 9 of La Vuelta and remains second in GC
Stage 9 brought one of the biggest climbing tests of this year’s Vuelta, with 187.4 kilometres from La Vila Joiosa to the summit of the Alto de Aitana, six categorised climbs and more than 5,000 metres of elevation gain.
Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe was active from the beginning of a fast and aggressive opening to the stage. Finn Fisher-Black was among the riders who bridged across to the early breakaway after the first climb, before Gianni Vermeersch also made his way into the move as more riders joined from behind. By the middle of the stage, the break had grown to 24 riders.
The advantage eventually reached around six minutes, but the situation began to change over the final climbs as the breakaway split and the GC teams increased the pace behind.
On the final 22-kilometre ascent of the Alto de Aitana, Decathlon CMA CGM drove a hard tempo before Gall attacked. Primož responded immediately alongside Mas, Onley and Carapaz as the group of overall contenders rapidly closed on the remaining riders from the break.
Primož Roglič on Stage 9 of La Vuelta
© Getty Sport
After several more attacks, Mas made his move. Onley followed, while Primož worked his way back across to the pair around a kilometre later. Mas accelerated again soon afterwards, opening a small gap, with Primož continuing at his own pace towards the summit.
Primož crossed the line in third place, 12 seconds behind the winner Mas. The result leaves him second in the GC heading into the first rest day, 1:18 minutes behind Mas. La Vuelta pauses for its first rest day on Monday before racing resumes on Tuesday with Stage 10 from Alcaraz to Elche de la Sierra.
