Hello and welcome to live coverage from stage 8 of the Vuelta a Espana
There's no other place to start than with the news that Sunweb have sent Warren Barguil home over disagreements over race tactics and race roles. This is significant news as the Frenchman was the team's best placed rider on GC, sitting in 13th place, 1:43 down on leader Chris Froome (Team Sky). Wilco Kelderman and Sam Oomen were 14th and 15th on GC,1”45 and 2:14 down respectively.
No word from Barguil this morning, other than the short quote provided by the team in their statement. Clearly this decision was made last night. We spoke to the team a few minutes ago and they confirmed that this was down to Barguil's perceived role in the team and tactics. The Frenchman is leaving at the end of the season for Fortuneo and this could be the last time we see him in a Subweb jersey, although the team have added that 'After the Vuelta, Barguil will pick up his planned race program.'
For an detailed look at how Barguil had his contract at Sunweb dissolved a year earlier than planned, and moved to a fresh team for 2018, you can read our feature from earlier this month, right here.
And you can have your say on the matter, with our Twitter poll. Should Barguil have been sent home from the Vuelta? Vote here.
Very briefly, the stage starts in around 12 minutes and the riders are currently in the neutralized zone. It's a super tough day for the peloton with another brutally hard finish. We'll bring you a detailed looked at today's route in just a few minutes, but of course we're focusing on the Barguil news from this morning. We've just tried to reach the rider by phone but no luck. We will keep you posted throughout the morning and afternoon.
We're on the phone with the team now. They confirm it was a 'general thing' but it also came down to the fact that Barguil didn't wait for Kelderman who punctured on stage 7.
The team add that the decision was made last night with Barguil informed for the decision late in the evening.
Sunweb has just told us the following:
In other news we have a race on our hands and the riders have finished with the neutralized zone. I have a feeling that today is going to be another crazy, non-stop, day at the Vuelta.
And we've had a crash. Just 3km into the race and riders are on the deck. Orica, Trek BMC and Manzana all have riders involved. It was a frantic start to the stage and there's been a touch of wheels. We'll bring you the names as soon as we have them.
Dennis down. BMC Racing's Rohan Dennis was one of the riders involved in the crash. The Australian has suffered a number of cuts but he's back on the bike and riding towards the front. Meanwhile, De Marchi and Mas have jumped clear and the pair have a small gap on the rest of the bunch. Not sure Team Sky will let a BMC rider go up the road...
We've updated our story on Barguil with more comments from the team. Here's the latest.
183km remaining from 199km
De Marchi goes once more. The Italian is intent on getting into the break today. Of course he's had success in this race before, winning a stage in 2014 and again in 2015 (first for Cannondale and then for BMC). He's been part of a few TTT wins but I think that Vuelta stage in 2015 was his last solo triumph. He could have gone to UAE for 2018 - I believe they made him an offer - but he's chosen to stay with BMC for another 12 months.
No luck for the Italian from BMC, who is once again caught with the peloton moving like a train. We've already covered 24km.
A reminder of where things stand on GC coming into today's stage:
More and more attacks from the peloton but the bunch are relentless in their pursuit of every single move. 30km and still altogether.
There were 8 riders off the front but by the time that was typed up they were all brought back by the peloton. 34km covered and still no break.
19. Repeat 19 riders have gone clear of the peloton after 35km of racing.
That number has swelled to 21 and Rosa and Bardet are both in the move. No time gaps at present.
149km remaining from 199km
Oliveira is 3'02 down and Polanc at 4'00 so the bunch might keep this lot at close quarters. It looks like Rosa has marked Bardet out of the move though.
141km remaining from 199km
At the moment Team Sky are tapping out a steady rhythm on the front of the peloton. Even though they have threats up the road in Polanc and Oliveria there's still a long way to go in today's stage. No reason to panic just yet.
Three minutes for the break as we hit the long flat section before the stage starts to climb again. The outcome of today's action will come down to the final brutal climb that comes in the closing kilometres.
A few more seconds for the break but it's clear from Team Sky's riding that they're not intent on letting this move gain too much time. Froome's men will not expect any help for now but that might change the closer we get towards the final climb. On stage 6 it was Trek who helped chase down an early break in a bid to set up Alberto Contador. We could see such a tactic once more.
4'10 now for the leaders. A reminder of who is in the break:
Still a steady tempo from Team Sky but the gap is almost at five minutes with around 90km of the stage covered. With Bora, Astana, UAE and Lotto Soudal all have numbers in the break it means that a lot of the 21 riders up the road are willing to commit.
After a seven-year absence, stage 8 of the Vuelta a Espana sees the race return to a finish at the Xorret de Catí climb, one of the most brutally steep ascents in southern Spain.
Alasdair Fotheringham spoke to Igor Anton, who was in the leader's jersey after the stage last made the ascent.
102km remaining from 199km
5'10 for the break with 100km to go. Interesting that Orica have kept their riders in the bunch. Was that the plan or did things change after that early crash? They have the Yates climbing well and in support of Chaves who sits second on GC, 11 seconds off Froome's lead.
Although Contador can't be talked about as a GC contender, given the time he lost on the first mountain stage, he's still a factor in this race. He has Hernandez up the road and Stetina and Pantano with him should he try and make a move on the final climb. The ascent certainly suits the Spaniard and it's up to him to attack.
If you're just joining us today the big news is that Warren Barguil has been sent home from the Vuelta by his team after disagreements over race tactics and rider roles. The full story, with quotes from both sides, is right here.
Onto the first climb of the day for the break. It's 'just' a third cat climb called the puerto de Biar but in this heat it will be torture for the riders struggling after a week of racing. And news just in, Cesare Benedetti has abandoned the race.
A reminder of how things stand on GC coming into the stage:
Team Sky have reduced the lead to 4'34 with 80km remaining but the cooperation in the break is still holding firm. There are a few passengers in there but we should see a bit of a shake up on the next climb.
Crash and Rubén Fernandez is down! The Movistar rider has torn his jersey to shreds as he stands waiting for a new bike. It looks like he was involved in a fall with a Bahrain rider but the Movistar man is in serious pain. He's on his feet but this doesn't look good at all.
At the front of the bunch it's Stannard, of course, doing all the work for Team Sky. He has the bunch lined out but the pace remains steady rather than frantic, with 78km remaining.
Chaves, wearing white, is lined up behind his Orica teammates. The Colombian is really Froome's main challenger on GC at the moment as the break start the second climb of the day the third category Puerto de Onil. 3.4km in length.
74km remaining from 199km
61km remaining from 199km
Zakarin should make it back, the gap down to around 100m but this isn't a good sign for the Katusha leader. At least he has his entire team around him.
No let up from Team Sky though, as they continue to push the pace on the front of the main field with Ian Stannard doing most of the work. He's shaved another 10 seconds off the break's advantage.
Zakarin has made it back to the peloton and just in time as well because the pace rises once more. 56km to go and the road starts to climb once more. These rolling roads are relentless .
The break are still holding their own though, with the gap at 4'28. Contador is a few bike lengths off the front as we see him rise out of the saddle in his own style. He's going to attack today, surely, but does he have the legs to really blow the race apart. The terrain really lends itself to an attacking approach.
David Lopez takes over on the front of the bunch from Ian Stannard - allowing the British rider a short rest as we see Jungels drop back and pick up some bottles for his teammates. BMC send a rider back to fulfil the same task for van Garderen and Roche, who both sit inside the top ten on GC.
No messing about from Katusha after that earlier split, as they post Zakarin right behind Froome's last teammate. The break still have 4'27 with 52km to go.
Lopez lines out the field and it will be interesting to see how long Stannard can last. That said Froome has the rest of the team around him and looking relatively comfortable considering the the heat out there. We're climbing again with the gap at 4'22, and 51km to go.
We're yet to really see a shake up from within the break but that will almost certainly come on the lower slopes of the final climb. The 21 leaders still have 4'18 with 49km to go. Team Sky still doing all the chasing, with no help from Orica
Again Team Sky line the peloton out but the pace isn't enough to trouble the break - they hold 4'27 with 46km to go.
The riders up the road have a number of ambitions here. Some fancy their chances for the stage win, others are waiting for leaders and are simply working in order to put Team Sky under further pressure as they lead the chase.
40km remaining from 199km
36km remaining from 199km
Nearly ever rider is committing to the break with 35km to go. They know that the stage win is on the cards if they can keep this up. They'll need around 2'30 at the foot of the final climb and they're on track for that as we see a Bahrain rider pick up drinks from the team car.
30km remaining from 199km
It's all on Team Sky still, who continue to lead the peloton. The break are starting to string out though and it looks like Bonnafond is trying to break things up. He creates a small gap but is then brought back by the rest of the break.
The pace is too much for a few of the riders towards the rear of the peloton and we've a number of dropped riders already, and we've not even hit the final climb yet. 22km to go.
Knees is dropped from the bunch and the gap is down to 4'15. Up ahead and riders are attacking. Majka and one other Bora rider have gone clear.
That move has been brought back. It's a little too early for a move like that but we're into the final 20km of the stage.
Bora are taking control of the break but the gap is down to 4'00.
A few more teams are moving up and taking the pace duties off Team Sky. We can see BMC, Cannondale, Astana and Bahrain all in the mix.
Just 15km to and the break have the stage in their hands - the gap holding at 4'07.
Buchmann is doing a huge turn on the front for the break and Majka and he's holding the peloton at bay as we start to climb. Pauwels is trying to move up but there are a lot of tired legs out there. 13km to go. Alaphilippe is also in the mix and the climb does suit him when he's on his best form.
There's a real race on at the front of the peloton as they all fight for position. Cannondale are well placed for Woods but so too are Contador, Aru, Nibali, Chaves and Froome.
And here come BMC, virtually sprinting up this false flat section. A lot of pressure on van Garderen today as we look to see how his body responds after crashing twice on stage 6. de Vreese has now attacked from the break with 11km go go. Bora are chasing him down. Early moves from the leaders.
Buchmann is up the up the road with the Astana rider but he's not going to take a turn on the front with Majka behind him. He's just going to mark this move and wait for his leader.
The two leaders have 10 seconds on the chase, and the bunch at 3'36.
8km remaining from 199km
We're on the climb but no where near the really steep slopes as Bora push the pace once more. 7km to go.
And Polanc and Majka move to the front on the climb as the peloton race towards the foot of the real climb. And the break is splitting up immediately.
Buchmann, Alaphilippe, Majka and Pauwels but he's been dropped so we're down to three riders in the lead.
Alaphilippe is just sitting on Majka's wheel as Sunweb take over at the front of the peloton. They need a result after sending Barguil home.
5.8km to go and Majka has just Alaphilippe for company. They are starting to work together with the bunch at 2'46. The winner will come from the break today.
And Polanc attacks from behind and his chasing the two leaders.
And Bahrain and Team Sky set the pace for the peloton as Pauwels come back. And then Majka attacks.
He can't drop Alaphilippe and the pair go clear once more.
The Frenchman just follows with 5.2km to go. They slow down once more and they're not willing to share the workload as Majka goes again.
Down the climb it's Froome's team that set the pace. and Orica lead an attack from the leader's jersey group. It's Simon Yates?
No move from Contador, Chaves or Froome just yet. 4.8km to go for the two leaders as Majka attacks again.
And Yates goes again for Orica further down the climb. He's dropped a couple of riders who tried to go with him, including de la Cruz.
Majka and Alaphilippe are side by side as they grind up the climb. And it looks like Contador has made a move.
Contador, Simon Yates, Woods and one other rider have a very small gap on Froome and Contador goes once more.
He's putting the rest of the rivals on the limit but he's not able to break free just yet. Where is Froome?
Woods and Contador have pushed clear and dropped Yates. They are starting to pull out a slight gap on Sky.
And Polanc has made it back again. So we have three riders leading the race once more.
1km of climbing left for the trio up front with Majka going again. Polanc is dropped instantly.
As we see Froome has pulled back Contador and Woods. Bardet is dropped though.
Chaves, Contador, Froome, Woods, Van Gaderen are all there and Froome attacks.
Nibali and Van Garderen are in trouble. So is Zakarin but Contador and Woods and Chaves can match the Sky rider.
Up ahead and Majka goes once more as they close in on the summit.
And Froome again. Chaves dropped and Woods.
Only Contador can match Froome.
Contador clings on as the Sky rider spins away. Everyone else has been dropped. This is going to cause real time gaps at the finish.
On the descent to the line now are Majka and Alaphilippe. The Quickstep rider should grab the sprint.
And Froome has now dropped Contador. The race leader is well clear of everyone else now.
He goes over the top of the climb but Contador has made it back. They descend side by side.
And Polanc has made it back and he attacks with 600m to go.
Caught so we have three riders with Froome and Contador just a few seconds back.
Contador is fighting to stay with Froome as the leaders take the final corner.
And Alaphilippe takes the stage. He leaves the other two riders for dust in the sprint.
Around 500m to go for Contador and Froome. Contador sprints and might have taken a second on Froome, if that. Nibali comes in with Aru and Chaves a few seconds later. Van Garderen comes over the line a few second after that.
It looked as though Julian Alaphilippe had lost his chance when Polanc came back on the descent but the Frenchman wasn't going to be denied. He kicked for the line and first and there was no contest. Polanc took second, Majka third.
1 Julian Alaphilippe (Fra) Quick-Step Floors 4:37:55
2 Jan Polanc (Slo) UAE Team Emirates 0:00:02
3 Rafal Majka (Pol) Bora-Hansgrohe 0:00:02
4 Serge Pauwels (Bel) Dimension Data 0:00:26
5 Nelson Oliveira (Por) Movistar Team 0:00:28
6 Michel Kreder (Ned) Aqua Blue Sport 0:00:32
7 Maxime Monfort (Bel) Lotto Soudal 0:00:34
8 Bart De Clercq (Bel) Lotto Soudal 0:00:34
9 Alberto Losada (Spa) Katusha-Alpecin 0:00:37
10 Emanuel Buchmann (Ger) Bora-Hansgrohe 0:01:04
General classification after stage 8
1 Christopher Froome (GBr) Team Sky 32:26:13
2 Esteban Chaves (Col) Orica-Scott 0:00:28
3 Nicolas Roche (Irl) BMC Racing Team 0:00:41
4 Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Bahrain-Merida 0:00:53
5 Tejay Van Garderen (USA) BMC Racing Team 0:00:58
6 Fabio Aru (Ita) Astana Pro Team 0:01:06
7 David De La Cruz (Spa) Quick-Step Floors 0:01:08
8 Adam Yates (GBr) Orica-Scott 0:01:18
9 Michael Woods (Can) Cannondale-Drapac 0:01:41
10 Ilnur Zakarin (Rus) Katusha-Alpecin 0:01:57
So a good day for QuickStep, who continue their fine run in this year's race. And Froome too. He waited and waited and made the most telling attack of the stage from the GC group. Only Contador could go with him in the end.
Lets hear from Froome:
I certainly didn’t need to attack, but I wanted to take advantage while my legs are feeling good. It was most important to keep pushing, keep trying to open up the gaps and we’ll see what we get after the rest day. Massive thanks to my team again for being so strong. Thanks to them I’m still in the red jersey.
You can find our brief report, results and photos from the stage, right here.
We've extended our gallery from today's stage. You can catch the images, right here.
Here's an extended look at the GC:
Contador was the only rider to stay with Froome on the final climb. Here's what the Spaniard had to say after the finish.
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