Hello and welcome to stage 6 of the Vuelta a España!
You join us for the day that the Vuelta reaches the Pyrenean mountains, for the first real climbing test of the race.
The riders are in Olot, a town in Catalonia, and have just set off from the unofficial start.
There’s been a small exodus of riders, with three abandoning the race ahead of the stage - Simon Carr, Pepijn Reinderink and Arjen Livyns. All were due to illness, so we can only hope there isn’t something spread around the peloton.
There are four mountains to be ridden over today, including two rated category one, the last one coming at the finish - all of which means this will be a big day in the GC race, surely the biggest so far. Here’s our extensive preview of what today has in store.
The first of the day’s climbs, Collada de Sentigosa, begins almost right from the flat. It might only be a category three, but it’ll be enough to spark any non-GC climbers with their eye on the stage win to try and get into the break.
Jonas Vingegaard is again wearing red, after his Visma-Lease a Bike did just about enough to keep it for him from the threat posed by the UAE Team Emirates - XRG leaders from their team time trial victory yesterday.
There's been a slight delay to the official start, but they will be racing soon.
And they're off!
OFFICIAL START
The jersey wearers, at the unofficial start.
A quartet of riders broke clear on the early slopes of this time, but were quickly brought back.
Collada de Sentigosa only rises at 4.2%, but will go on for a whole 11.1km, providing a decent amount of time for a break to try and form.
There have been more attacks, but nothing has succeeded yet.
There still hasn’t been a breakaway success at this year’s Vuelta, but you sense today could be the best chance so far. Much will depend on the strength of the group that does eventually form, and the appetite among the GC contenders to chase them, but the riders will be fighting to get into this break knowing they’re in with a shot.
A few riders have a gap now, of about 10 seconds. Breakaway specialist Bruno Armirail is among them.
Former Vuelta stage winners Jay Vine and Pablo Castrillo are also in it.
This group of riders have about 15 seconds on the peloton, as they near the top of the climb.
160KM TO GO
Giro King of the Mountains winner Lorenzo Fortunato is also in this breakaway. You'd imagine he has his eyes on the KOM points coming up soon at the summit.
The riders are over the top of the mountain and are now descending back down it.
KOM - COLLADA DE SENTIGOSA
These are all ten of the riders in the break, which now leads by about 20 seconds:
Torstein Træen
Jay Vine won the sprint at the top of the summit, with Vervaeke in second and Fortunato in third.
Vervaeke has already been chasing KOM points, and is closing in on Joel Nicolau’s lead. But if Vine is putting his mind to it, he’ll be a real candidate for the jersey given his climbing calibre. Here are the new rankings:
Weather-wise it’s a warm, pleasant day in the saddle, with the temperature at a bit more than 20 degrees.
The break has increased its lead on the descent and subsequent flat roads, to just over a minute. This could be the break of the day - although things could still change on the upcoming category one Collada de Toses, if it hasn’t built enough of a lead by then.
150KM TO GO
Jay Vine’s presence in the break is interesting in terms of his UAE team’s strategy. The team moved three riders into the top four on GC following yesterday’s team time trial stage win, but Vine himself is way down having lost time in the opening stages. He won’t therefore be able to put pressure directly on Vingegaard, but could help his teammates Ayuso, Almeida and Soler later in the stage if they need it.
It’l be fascinating to see how UAE use their three-pronged GC attack against Vingegaard and the rest of the field today. Will they be able to make use of their numerical advantage, or is this a recipe for disharmony? They were certainly delighted with how yesterday went, but will want to build on that success today.
The break's lead has grown some more, but not by much - as they ride through the valley, it's at about 1-20.
140KM TO GO
The ten riders in the day's break.
The riders have spent the past few kilometres going uphill again, and will soon be officially on the Collada de Toses. The break’s lead has grown to 1:50, which might be small enough to encourage some teams and riders who have missed out to attempt their own move.
130KM TO GO
Things are looking good for the break. Their lead is growing as they ascend the lower slopes of the climb, and now have about 2:15 over the peloton.
The race is in a holding pattern on this mountain, the break maintaining a lead of about 2:30 over the peloton, from which no attacks have been made.
120KM TO GO
The Collada de Toses is very long, lasting 24.4km, but the average gradient of just 3.5% isn’t proving to be selective.
Incidentally, Torstein Træen is currently the virtual red jersey, down only 58 seconds on GC. In fact, he, Armirail, Vervaeke and Fortunato are all within two minutes of Vingegaard. This could make their survival to the finish difficult, if the GC teams are feeling cautious and worried about the threat they might pose if allowed too much time.
Visma Lease-a-Bike are leading the peloton at a steady pace on this climb. They've been at the front of t for much of the day.
The weather has taken a bit of a turn, as you can see from the wet roads and different outerwear.
The break's lead has grown a little more, now up to almost three minutes.
Around 3:30 now for the leaders as they near the top of the climb. The peloton are happy to have them up the road for now.
110KM TO GO
Not long now until the break reaches the summit.
The riders have crested the climb, the break 3:40 ahead of the peloton. Now comes a long, gradual descent.
Vervaeke was the first rider to the summit of the climb, meaning he now leads the King of the Mountains. Vine, Fortunato, Garofoli and Shaw took the rest of the points, meaning the virtual classification looks like this:
KOM - COLLADA DE TOSES
3:45 now for the break as they go down this descent.
100KM TO GO
Visma-Lease a Bike have controlled the stage for much of the day. Jonas Vingegaard has identified this as an important GC day, s owe can ecepct him to make a move on the final climb.
Still a healthy lead of 3:50 for the break as they continue to descend.
90KM TO GO
The rain is fluctuating in how heavy it’s falling. Right now it’s pouring heavily on the break, making this descent very complicated. Thankfully for them, it’s not too steep a gradient.
Vingegaard also said that he anticipates being attacked today - but from who? Certainly UAE Team Emirates are the most likely candidates, with Almeida, Ayuso and Soler all poised to give him headaches.
The rain has eased a bit, while the break's lead grows to four minutes - the biggest it's been all day.
80KM TO GO
It will be interesting to see how Red Bull-Bora Hansgrohe go today. They’ve ridden a good race so far, with fourth in yesterday’s team time trial (despite Matteo Sobrero’s crash) helping keep their GC men Jai Hindley and Giulio Pellizzari up there on GC, in eighth and ninth respectively. We’ll get a good idea today of whether either rider are genuine contenders for the red jersey.
A few issues for Fortunato in the break as he tries to sort something with his shoe. This bad weather is making everything more difficult and stressful for the riders.
Things are still looking promising for the break. They're lead's gone up a bit more as they ride the shallower part of this descent, to 4:15.
70KM TO GO
Many eyes will be on Giulio Ciccone on the final climb. Excellent pre-race form saw him bigged up as a potential red jersey contender, and he’s supported that idea with a strong start to the race, which sees him begin the stage today in fifth overall. But he’s never before managed to put together a sustained GC bid at a Grand Tour, with a career-high finish of 11th at the Tour de France last year.
Whether or not this year will be different could become much more apparent based on how well he does on today’s stage.
The rain has eased off for now, and riders have been shedding layers.
The break's lead is nearly at five minutes now, with 60km to go. Visma continue to lead the peloton, but seem happy to let the break have the stage win today - and possibly also the red jersey.
60KM TO GO
A reminder that Torstein Træen is the best placed rider on GC in the break, in 26th at 58 seconds.
Egan Bernal slipped a few places on GC from fourth to tenth following Ineos’ underwhelming finish at yesterday’s team time trial, but remains firmly in contention for a high overall finish, and has been one of the most impressive riders of the Vuelta so far.
The cycling world would collectively love the Colombian to return to his best - following his seventh overall at the Giro, today’s stage will give us the best indication yet of whether he has indeed improved some more.
5:30 now for the break. The peloton aren't committing to a chase on this gentle downhill in the valley.
50KM TO GO
More riders are dropping back in the peloton to their team cars to shed some rain gear. The weather does appear very changeable though, so they may be back sometime to retrieve it again.
Yesterday’s red jersey wearer David Gaudu lost some ground yesterday as his Groupama team finished down in ninth on the team time trial, but has looked in fine knick. He’s got great punchy legs - but how are his climbing legs? We’ll find out today.
The pace is slow enough in the peloton for many raiders to engage in relaxed conversations. Mads Pederser and Jonas Vingegaard are exchanging words, very conspicuously in their respective green and red jerseys.
The slowing in the pace is reflected in the gap, which is now at 6:15. The road will soon change from a very gradual downhill to a very gradual uphill.
40KM TO GO
This is set to be a big day in Tomas Pidcock’s hoped-for GC bid. The Brit has had a disappointing race so far in terms of stage-hunting, but remains up there on the overall classification in 13th at 30 seconds, after a solid team time trial by his Q36.5 team.
Big mountain days like this are his main weakness when it comes to GC challenges, and, although today’s is neither the longest or steepest they will take on this Vuelta, if he can stay with the favourites on it it will be a big boost for his ambitions.
The break’s just crossed the border out of Spain and into Andorra - the fourth different country the race has visited this edition.
Is Mikel Landa really prioritising stage wins over GC at this Vuelta? That’s what he said at the beginning of the race, but he’s quietly been finishing towards the back of the group of favourites on the uphill finishes so far, and even after Soudal-QuickStep’s low finish of 18th yesterday, is still a not too distant 56 seconds down on GC. Today could be definitive on whether he is going to be a GC contender, or lose enough tim to start targeting breaks.
6:45 is the break's lead, as they continue the draggy approach to the foot of the day's penultimate climb - the category two Alto de la Comella.
30KM TO GO
One of the pre-race favourites for the red jersey, Antonio Tiberi, has had a difficult start to his GC bid, finishing just outside of the big main group of favourites on stage two’s first uphill finish. That’s left him with some ground to make up already, down in 25th place at 58 seconds; if he’s still lacking form, his teammate Santiago Buitrago could take over as Bahrain’s GC leader.
One more GC man to keep an eye out for today - Felix Gall. He’s well set in 12th at 25 seconds, and if he’s not too fatigued from his effort to finish fifth at the Tour de France last month, should be up there on the final climb.
The break is only a couple of kilometres away from the start of the climb. It rises for 4.2km at 8% - steep enough perhaps for the stronger climbers in it to stop distancing the weaker ones.
The break swings right and the gradient ramps up, as they officially begin the Alto de la Comella.
The GC teams are battling for position in the peloton, and the gap is as a result coming down, for the first time in a while - it’s at 5:20.
A DNF to report - Koen Bouwman of Jayco AlUla.
Fortunato went through the intermediate sprint first, but there wasn’t interest in the group for it. There is interest in the peloton for the few points still available, however - Mads Pedersen’s Trek team are keeping him near the front as they approach it.
Actually, Pedersen is more interested in working for his GC leader Ciccone than the sprint. He didn't sprint for any points, but did lead the peloton afterwards with the Italian on his wheel.
The rain has started pouring again on this climb.
Raúl García Pierna has attacked from the peloton as they begin the climb. Does he not know that there's a break so far up the road?
On the climb, Visma have taken over control again. The gap to the break decreased a lot in that quick run-in to the foot, down another minute to 4:10. The break aren't guaranteed the stage win…
Pedersen's work is done, and he drops out the back of the peloton.
The break is near the summit, they'll be sprinting for the points soon.
Armirail is struggling to hang on at the back of the group.
A potentially big development here - João Almeida has been dropped out of the peloton.
ALMEIDA DROPPED
We've seen him do this kind of thing many times, preferring to ride at his own pace, but this is very early for him to be dropped, and the pace in the peloton isn't especially high, with many riders still in it.
Hold on - it seems Almeida's problem was merely a mechanical one. He's just changed bikes, and looks happy.
Meanwhile at the front, Almeida’s UAE teammate Jay Vine was first over the summit on the climb, and has continued pressing on, and is now alone at the front.
KOM - ALTO DE LA COMELLA
Vine's pressing on, perhaps out of fear of the peloton - they've brought the rest of the break down to four minutes now.
20KM TO GO
Vine himself has a lead of about 10 seconds over the rest of the break..
Raúl García Pierna's brief venture is over, as he's brought back by the peloton.
The break's finished descending already, and are climbing again, on an uphill section just before the official start of the final climb.
Vine's growing his lead, up to 20 seconds. He's the best climber in the break on paper, and is showing it already. The only question is whether he's gone too early.
30 seconds now for Vine.
Visma-Lease a Bike continue to control the peloton.
Red Bull are challenging Visma for the space at the front of the peloton, as they approach the start of the climb.
Vine’s lead is getting bigger and bigger. It’s now at 45 seconds, even before the official start of the climb. Those in the group behind will have to respond soon if they have hopes of still winning this stage.
The gradient’s eased off, just before the official start of the final climb.
Vine leads by 55 seconds over the chase group, and 4:52 over the peloton. He's the hot favourite for the stage win as things stand.
10KM TO GO
Vine's on the final climb now, which will rise at 6.5% for 9.6km.
FINAL CLIMB - PAL
Finally there's movement in the chase group as they begin the climb, with Castrillo attacking.
Fortunato and Træen follow Castrillo, and Ryan bridges up to them.
Shaw also joins them.
Decathlon have taken over at the front of the peloton as they near the start of the climb. Their leader Felix Gall must be feeling good.
Jay Vine at the front of the race, who's increased his lead yet more to one minute.
The chase group all came back together after those attacks, but Castrillo is trying again to force a selection.
The peloton are climbing, but the pace still isn't too high. They won't be contesting the stage win today.
Castrillo's attack brought the chase group down to 6 riders, and he's attacking again to try and further reduce it.
He's not managed to though, and Fortunato takes over the pace-setting.
Lidl-Trek take over at the front of the peloton for the first time on this climb.
Træen attacks from the chase group, and has a gap.
Juan Ayuso is right at the back of the peloton. Is he struggling, or just happier to ride there?
Træen has made some inroads on Vine, but not by much - he's still 50 seconds behind.
Even if he doesn't catch Vine, Træen does still stand to become the new new overall leader.
Ayuso is indeed struggling - he's been dropped!
AYUSO DROPPED
The peloton is still very large, with dozens of riders still in it and the pace still relatively low. Ayuso must be on a really bad day.
Lidl continue to set the pace in the peloton, and are burning through riders, Verona the latest to swing off. It seems they're setting something up for Ciccone.
Vine's 3km from the top, and still has a lead of 50 seconds over Træen.
The peloton is thinning now after the work done from Lidl. There are only about 30 riders left.
Ayuso is the only major GC favourites to have been dropped out of the peloton.
Only 2km left for Vine. His lead over Træen has gone down to just over 40 seconds, but it's not coming down quickly enough to deny Vine the stage win.
The first attack from the peloton has been made! Vingegaard is on Ciccone's wheel.
CICCONE ATTACKS
Buitrago, Tiberi and Kuss are in a small group behind Ciccone and Vingegaard.
Vingegaard is taking a turn, he's happy to work with Ciccone as they try to ride away.
Vine only has 1km to ride, he's nearing the stage win. Træen is riding for the second and into the red jersey.
1KM TO GO
There are about a dozen riders in the chase group behind Vingegaard and Ciccone.
Jay Vine crosses the line, and has time to celebrate as he takes the stage win!
VINE WINS
Now here comes Torstein Træen for second place.
Træen finishes second, 54 seconds later. That will surely be enough for the red jersey.
Meanwhile the man currently wearing red, Vingegaard, has been caught by the chase group.
Vingegaard and Ciccone were dragged back by a group containing Almeida, and now there are about ten riders in the group of favourites.
Another attack sees Almeida, Vingegaard, Ciccone, Bernal, Gall go clear briefly, but are brought back by the rest of the group.
Kuss leads the group for Vingegaard. There are about 12 riders in it.
Pidcock, Hindley, Ricitello are all here.
As is Tiberi and Jorgenson.
Jorgenson takes over as the enter the final few hundred metres.
Almeida leads the sprint for the line, but doesn't force a gap. All 11 riders finish on the same time.
A group containing Gaudu and O'Connor arrive, a few seconds behind.
It's confirmed that Torstein Træen has taken the red jersey from Jonas Vingegaard.
The 12 riders who finished together in the red jersey group were: Vingegaard, Almeida, Ciccone, Bernal, Hindley, Pellizari, Tiberi, Gall, Pidcock, Riccitello, Jorgenson and Kuss.
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
In a group just under 30 seconds behind the group of favourites were Landa, Soler, Gadu, O'Connor and Buitrago.
Perhaps the story of the day is Torstein Træen. Just a few years ago the Norwegian was diagnosed with cancer. Thankfully it was diagnosed and treated quickly, but to go from there to leading one of cycling's biggest races is some recovery.
A year after testicular cancer, Torstein Træen on the attack at Tour of the Alps
Juan Ayuso eventually finished with his teammate Felix Großschartner, a whole 7:32 after the group of favourites. That's his red jersey aspirations well and truly over for another year, and he'll surely revert to a domestique role in support of Almeida.
While Almeida was the only UAE rider to finish in the group of favourites, Visma-Lease a Bike had three, with Kuss and Jorgenson accompanying Vingegaard. It seems that not only do they have the strongest rider at this race, but also the strongest team - contrary to expectations of how UAE would ride.
The group of favourites, as they approached the finish.
As for the other jerseys, Vine took enough points in winning the stage to lead the mountains classification, while Pedersen retains the green jersey.
Ayuso's collapse also means that Pelizzari takes over the best young rider.
Vingegaard and Ciccone briefly looked like the strongest riders on the climb when they attacked out of the group of favourites and got a gap, before being dragged back. Will that be a sign of things to come on the more selective summit finishes?
Thanks for joining us today, for an exciting first GC sort out of the Vuelta. We’ll get to do it all over again tomorrow, for an even more mountainous stage in the Pyrenees, including another big summit finish.
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