Britain’s Hugh Carthy claimed his first Grand Tour stage win on stage 12 of the Vuelta a Espana, as Richard Carapaz retook the overall lead after a gruelling final ascent on the Angliru.
EF Pro Cycling rider Carthy, 26, distanced a trio of Aleksandr Vlasov, Enric Mas and Ineos Grenadiers’ Carapaz in the final two kilometres to win by 16 seconds and move to third overall.
Ecuador’s Carapaz sits 10 seconds clear of former leader Primoz Roglic.
Ireland’s Dan Martin dropped to fourth.
Carapaz and Jumbo-Visma’s Roglic began the day level on time, with Roglic wearing the leader’s jersey on Sunday based on better stage placings.
Starting in Pola de Laviana, the mountainous 109km stage included five categorised climbs – and three first category ascents on the Mozqueta, Cordal and the Angliru.
The finish at the top of the challenging Angliru saw the riders endure a 12.4km ascent at 9.9%, with the final seven kilometres averaging a gradient of 13% – rearing up to 23.5% at its steepest section.
Two-time winner Chris Froome pushed the pace for Ineos on the penultimate climb but it was Jumbo-Visma who took charge on the Angliru until only seven riders – including the top-five in the general classification – remained at the front.
Tour de France runner-up Roglic, winner of three stages so far, had team-mate Sepp Kuss in support but could not respond as Carapaz moved clear.
And it was Carthy who had the most left to give as the Englishman stormed to a memorable victory that takes him to within 32 seconds of the race lead.
Monday is the second rest day of the race before Tuesday’s Stage 13 33.7km individual time trial from Muros, which ends with a category three ascent of the Mirador do Ezaro.
More to follow.
