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Vuelta a Espana 2016: Stage 20

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Live coverage of stage 20 of the Vuelta a España, 193 kilometres from Benidorm to Alto de Aitana.

Vuelta a España race hub on Cyclingnews
Stage 19 report: Froome wins Calpe time trial 
Froome blasts back into contention
Quintana stays calm despite losing time
 

For a few days during the final week, it seemed as though the Vuelta was simply slouching towards Madrid, the red jersey secure on Nairo Quintana's shoulders, but Chris Froome's startling performance in yesterday's time trial means that there is yet some considerable suspense to proceedings as the race tackles its final obstacle, the Alto de Aitana, this afternoon.

General classification after stage 19:

 

Logic says that Quintana should have enough in hand to repel Froome this afternoon on the Aitana, but then again, the Sky man's remarkable freshness in yesterday's time trial would seem to defy that same logic. In the third week of the second Grand Tour of his season, Froome not only put more than a minute into everybody bar Jonathan Castroviejo (Movistar), but he gained the bones of two minutes on three GC men who had apparently prepared more specifically for the demands of this Vuelta than he had. 

Alberto Contador (Tinkoff) was forced out of the Tour de France early by crashes and illness, and skipped the Olympics to focus on the Vuelta. He won the Vuelta a Burgos as he built towards this race, but he conceded 1:57 yesterday. Andrew Talansky (Cannondale-Drapac) skipped the Tour altogether to focus on the Vuelta, and he had banked on this final time trial to lift him into the top five overall. He managed that, but still lost 1:54 to the seemingly untouchable Froome. Quintana, meanwhile, was subdued at the Tour, but skipped the Olympics to recalibrate ahead of the Vuelta. He conceded 2:16 of his overall lead in the space of 37 kilometres yesterday.

Froome, by contrast, travelled to the Rio 2016 Olympics - where he took bronze in the time trial - between winning the Tour de France and coming here, but he showed few signs of fatigue on the road to Calpe yesterday afternoon and he now finds himself still with a fighter's chance of denying Quintana Vuelta victory at the last. 

There are four category two climbs on the agenda this afternoon ahead of the final, special category haul to the finish on the Alto de Aitana. The Coll de Rates (13km at 3%), beloved of every team that comes to Calpe on a training camp, is first up, followed by the Alto de Vall de Ebo (8km at 5.4%). Alto de Tollos (4.1km at 5.9%) comes after 82.6km, followed by the Puerto de Tudons (7.1km at 5.3%).

The last climb of this Vuelta, meanwhile, is the long Alto de Aitana, which stretches for an interminable 21 kilometres at an average gradient of 5.9%. The Ventoux of the Costa Blanca has featured three times at the Vuelta in the past. It made its debut in 2001, when Claus Michael Møller was stage winner. Leonardo Piepoli claimed the honours three years later, while Damiano Cunego won atop the Aitana on the Vuelta’s last visit in 2009.

The Vuelta peloton is negotiating the long neutralised zone in Benidorm, with the official start due to be given at 12.18 local time.

There is one non-starter to report this morning. Samuel Sanchez (BMC) suffered an acromioclavicular joint dislocation of his right shoulder when he crashed during yesterday's time trial, and although he was able to finish the stage, he was forced to withdraw from the race a day shy of Madrid. The 2008 Olympic champion was lying in 11th place overall.

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Laurent Didier (Trek-Segafredo) and Sergio Paulinho (Tinkoff) are the day's first attackers, opening a lead of 15 seconds over the peloton.

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Ben King (Cannondale-Drapac) is the next man to try his luck, forging clear after ten kilometres, but his lead is a small one for the time being.

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This stage has yet to settle down. Dillier and Wallays have a lead of 20 seconds on the lower slopes of the Rates, but Omar Fraile (Dimension Data) is in the process of dragging a group of 20 or so riders across to them, and the peloton is only just behind that.

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Movistar, Sky and Tinkoff are all represented in this chase group, with Ruben Fernandez, David Lopez and Yury Trofimov all aboard.

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The 30 riders just in front of the main peloton, incidentally, are: Imanol Erviti (Movistar), Ruben Fernandez (Movistar), Yury Trofimov (Tinkoff), David Lopez (Sky), Darwin Atapuma (BMC), Robert Gesink (LottoNL-Jumbo), Damien Howson (Orica-BikeExchange), Luis Leon Sanchez (Astana), Andrey Zeits (Astana), Laurent Didier (Trek-Segafredo), Jan Bakelants (Ag2r-La Mondiale), Pierre-Roger Latour (Ag2r-La Mondiale), Pavel Kochetkov (Katusha), Matvey Mamykin (Katusha), Gianluca Brambilla (Etixx-QuickStep), Moreno Moser (Cannondale-Drapac), Omar Fraile (Dimension Data), Mathias Frank (IAM Cycling), Clément Chevrier (IAM Cycling), Larry Warbasse (IAM Cycling), Louis Meintjes (Lampre-Merida), Valerio Conti (Lampre-Merida), Kristijan Durasek (Lampre-Merida), Luis Angel Mate (Cofidis), Romain Hardy (Cofidis), Rudy Molard (Cofidis), David Arroyo (Caja Rural-RGA), Pello Bilbao (Caja Rural-RGA), Romain Sicard (Direct Energie) and Kenny Elissonde (FDJ).

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Pete Kennaugh (Sky) and Imanol Erviti (Movistar) are among the riders in the chasing group that has formed thanks to Meintjes' move. They're 25 seconds behind our seven leaders, though the peloton is still close at hand.

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The men in front are Robert Gesink (LottoNL-Jumbo), Luis Leon Sanchez (Astana), Laurent Didier (Trek-Segafredo), Jan Bakelants (Ag2r-La Mondiale), Pavel Kochetkov (Katusha), Mathias Frank (IAM Cycling) and Rudy Molard (Cofidis).

Leopold Konig attacks from the peloton in a bid to latch across to the chasing group. This has been a breathless opening to this penultimate stage, which has yet to settle into a fixed pattern. 

Konig's move has the residual effect of encouraging Movistar to up their pace at the front of the peloton. The race could all come back together again on the slopes of the Alto de Vall de Ebo.

After the two front groups come together, Romain Hardy (Cofidis) jumps clear alone, while Luis Leon Sanchez (Astana) gives lone pursuit.

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Sanchez joins forces with Hardy at the head of the race, 30 seconds clear of the peloton.

While Hardy and Sanchez stretch out their advantage towards the minute mark on the front, Alejandro Valverde infiltrates a 15-man counter attack. Sky are represented here by Salvatore Puccio. Ivan Rovny is on hand for Tinkoff and Damien Howson for Orica-BikeExchange.

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The chase group contains the following riders: Alejandro Valverde (Movistar), Robert Gesink (LottoNL-Jumbo), José Joaquin Rojas (Movistar), Ivan Rovny (Tinkoff), Yury Trofimov (Tinkoff), David Lopez (Sky), Salvatore Puccio (Sky), Darwin Atapuma (BMC), Romain Sicard (Direct Energie), Damien Howson (Orica-BikeExchange), Laurent Didier (Trek-Segafredo), Pierre-Roger Latour (Ag2r-la Mondiale), Benjamin King (Cannondale-Drapac), Merhawi Kudus (Dimension Data), Valerio Conti (Lampre-Merida), Daniel Moreno (Movistar), Bart De Clerq (Lotto Soudal).

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Even race radio is struggling to keep up with the fluctuations at the head of this race. The chasing group splits and Valverde drops back to the main peloton.

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The riders in that reformed chase group are Jose Joaquin Rojas (Movistar), Yuri Trofimov (Tinkoff), David Lopez (Team Sky), Darwin Atapuma (BMC), Robert Gesink (Lotto NL Jumbo), Damien Howson (Orica - BikeExchange), Fabio Felline (Trek - Segafredo), Pierre Latour (AG2R - La Mondiale), Pavel Kochetkov (Katusha), Bart De Clercq (Lotto Soudal), Ben King (Cannondale - Drapac), Mathias Frank, Clément Chevrier (IAM Cycling), Valerio Conti (Lampre - Merida) and Lilian Calmejane (Direct Energie).

Kenny Elissonde (FDJ), meanwhile, launches an optimistic solo attack from the peloton in a bid to bridge up to the escape and secure some mountains points.

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Jose Joaquin Rojas crashes on the sweeping descent off the Tollos. The Spanish champion slides off the road and underneath the crash barrier, and he is being treated on the embankment below the road. It is not clear whether he will be able to continue in the race. 

Rojas lies motionless on his back on the roadside, though he appears to be conscious. The peloton comes by the site of his crash, and the following ambulance has stopped. Rojas' Vuelta is clearly over. 

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And almost on cue, Orica-BikeExchange take over at the head of the peloton and up the pace. The Australian squad are hoping Chaves can dislodge Contador from third, and Simon Yates can move above Andrew Talansky into fifth, and they are setting their stall out here.

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Orica-BikeExchange's efforts at the head of the peloton, meanwhile, have clipped the break's lead back to 8:30.

Orica-BikeExchange have relented once again, however, and the pace in the main peloton drops visibly. It was a fast, fast start to the day's stage, and there is a vicious finale, too, in the shape of the Alto de Aitana.

The Vuelta is not the only racing action this weekend, of course. Tony Martin won the stage 7a time trial of the Tour of Britain in Bristol this morning, while Steve Cummings retains the yellow jersey ahead of the afternoon leg.

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The 13 chasers, meanwhile, are now just two minutes behind Molard and Sanchez, who are continuing to collaborate smoothly at the head of the race.

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Orica-BikeExchange have decided to take up the reins once again at the head of the peloton and they are upping the pace once again. Their challenge today is to discommode Contador and Talansky in search of 3rd and 5th place, respectively.

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Elissonde wears the polka dot jersey of king of the mountains, but in the provisional standings he two points behind Omar Fraile. The Frenchman is desperate to pick up more than the sole point for third place at the top of this climb.

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Orica-BikeExchange continue to lay down a brisk tempo in the main peloton, as they begin the softening-up process ahead of the final ascent up the Aitana. It looks set to be a rapid run-in to the foot of that last climb.

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Esteban Chaves (Orica-BikeExchange) doesn't wait for the Aitana to try to recoup his deficit to Contador. The Colombian attacks almost three kilometres from the top of the category 2 Tudons and opens a small gap on the peloton.

Molard and Sanchez are in front over the Tudons, while Elissonde leads the chaser past the same point, 1:42 down.

The chasing group's progress was interrupted near the summit by a crash involving Clement Chevrier. The IAM Cycling rider was brought down by a spectator who stepped into the road, though the rest of the group managed to pick their way around him.

Contador takes over at the front of the reduced red jersey group in a bid to peg back Chaves, who has opened a gap of 30 seconds or so on this 20-strong group.

Contador brings the reduced red jersey group to the top of the Tudos, 8:12 down on the leaders, and 20 seconds down on Chaves. Team Sky take over on the plunging descent that follows, with Leopold Konig leading Froome at the front of this group.

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The Howson-Chaves tandem leads the red jersey group by 1:10. Chaves moves ever closer to Contador's third place.

Chaves is in virtual third place on the road, as he stretches his lead over the Contador-red jersey group to 1:17.

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Chaves, still locked on Howson's wheel, begins the Aitana. He is 5:35 down on the two leaders, but some 2:05 ahead of the Contador group.

Frank and Kochetkov have moved clear of the rest of the chasers, but they are making no inroads into Molard and Sanchez's lead, which remains locked at 1:43.

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Trofimov dropped back from the chasing group, incidentally, and he is now putting in a stint at the head of the red jersey group in support of Contador. His efforts have shorn a handful of seconds off Chaves' lead.

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Howson swings over after his fine effort in support of his leader, and now it's all up to Chaves. The Colombian is 1:40 clear of Contador with more than 10 miles of climbing ahead of him.

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Chaves is at 4:10, while the red jersey group is at 5:56, Trofimov still leading.

Simon Yates attacks from the red jersey group and Talansky is immediately onto his wheel in order to defend his fifth place overall. Contador takes a pull on the front to peg them back, and now Movistar have decided to set the tempo in this group.

Quintana still have Valverde, Castroviego and Ruben Fernandez with him, and his Movistar guard sets the tempo now, 5:50 down on the two leaders.

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Luis Leon Sanchez is alone in front but his pedalling is leaden. Molard is 50 metres behind him but Conti is not far off the lead.

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Conti is closing in on Sanchez, but Gesink, De Clerq and Latour aren't out of this yet, either, as they close to within sight of the Italian. 

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Simon Yates attacks once again from the red jersey group, in another bid to shake Talansky lose and move up to fifth overall. The Briton doesn't get very far, however, as Trofimov swiftly pegs him back.

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Conti drops Molard and sets off in lone pursuit of Sanchez. Back in the red jersey group, meanwhile, Movistar have taken the reins once again Froome is sitting near the rear of the group and has yet to probe Quintana. The Briton trails by 1:21 on GC - and this is, of course, his last chance to make up the ground.

Contador climbs out of the saddle and takes over at the front of the red jersey group. He is 1:50 down on Chaves and needs to whittle that down by 40 seconds if he is to hold onto his podium place.

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Conti looked destined to catch and pass Sanchez a few kilometres ago, but the Spaniard is putting up fierce resistance, and the gap remains at 30 seconds.

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Alejandro Valverde now sets the tempo in the red jersey group, glancing over his shoulder every now and then to check on Froome. The principal challenge has yet to show his hand on the Aitana, and he is rapidly running out of road.

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Darwin Atapuma (BMC) attacks as soon as the chasers catch Conti. The Colombian has 26 seconds to recoup on Sanchez.

Atapuma's acceleration has closed Sanchez's lead to just 20 seconds.

Chaves, meanwhile, is still some two minutes clear of the red jersey group, and showing no signs of relenting.

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Chaves is now picking off the remnants of the break and his lead over the red jersey group remains steady at two minutes.

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Chaves trails by 3:16, while Konig takes over at the front of the red jersey group, 5:05 off the leaders.

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Froome accelerates from the red jersey group with 5 kilometres remaining. Only Quintana can follow,

Froome kicks again but Quintana will not be shaken. They have, however, moved clear of Contador et al. 

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A third vicious acceleration from Froome, but Quintana doesn't concede an inch. They have caught Lopez, who was up the road.

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Four minutes down the road, Froome launches another brace of attacks, but Quintana matches him pedal stroke for pedal stroke each time. They have 3 kilometres to go.

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Chaves is at 3:06 and riding into third overall. Quintana and Froome are at 4:06. Contador is shipping time behind.

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Latour climbs out of the saddle and accelerates. This latest dig has done for Felline's hopes, but Atapuma will not be moved...

Atapuma comes around a struggling Latour. But the Frenchman refuses to give up. This is brutal...

300 metres to go and somehow, Latpur has clawed his way back up to Atapuma. Shades of Rocky versus Apollo Creed...

Pierre Latour (Ag2r-La Mondiale) wins stage 20 of the Vuelta a Espana. He outlasts Atapuma to claim the honours on the Alto de Aitana...

Fabio Felline (Trek-Segafredo) takes third.

Quintana and Froome approach the flamme rouge. Froome attacks again but he can't shake Quintana, who is about to win the Vuelta a Espana.

Esteban Chaves, meanwhile, is climbing towards the third step of the podium...

Chaves comes home 3:17 down on the stage.

Froome and Quintana aren't far behind. They made up a lot of ground thanks to Froome's litany of accelerations in the finale.

Quintana accelerates away from Froome in the finishing straight and comes in 4:05 down on Latour. 

Contador crosses the line, after losing third overall by 13 seconds to Chaves, who is beaming for the television cameras. Contador is consoled by Ivan Basso.

Andrew Talansky (Cannondale-Drapac), meanwhile, has secured fifth overall at this Vuelta by placing 12th on the stage, 4:34 down on Latour, but 30 seconds ahead of Simon Yates.

Result:

General classification after stage 20: 

Result:

 

General classification:

 General classification:

Thanks for joining our live coverage on Cyclingnews this afternoon. The full report, results and pictures will follow here. We'll have all the news and reaction from the Alto de Aitana, and we will of course be back with more from the final leg tomorrow.

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