Spain's Joaquim Rodriguez clinched the red jersey after the 16th stage of the Vuelta a Espana on Monday, with just one second separating him from second-placed Fabio Aru. The 185km stage was won by Trek's veteran rider Frank Schleck of Luxembourg.
Rodriguez produced a late acceleration on the steep slopes of the final climb, which allowed him to create a gap of just two seconds over the former race leader, Italian Fabio Aru. Rodriguez finished ninth on the stage, almost nine minutes behind Schleck.
Schleck was in the early break of the day and on the final climb he remained in command along with Rodolfo Torres. The experienced Luxembourg rider dropped his breakaway companion 3km from the summit of the final climb and arrived at the finish 1min 10secs ahead of the Colombian. This was his first win since having served a one-year doping ban after testing positive for Xipamide during the 2012 Tour de France.
The riders have a rest day on Tuesday before the crucial time-trial stage on Wednesday. Giant-Alpecin's Tom Dumoulin, who is 1min 51secs behind Rodriguez in the general classification, is seen as the favourite for the final win as he is expected to take the lead after the time trial.
Here are the current outright Vuelta odds at Bet365:
Tom Dumoulin - 2.00 Fabio Aru - 2.50 Joaquim Rodriguez - 6.50
sharpe
8 years ago
Even at that age Purito is still amongst the best climbers in the world. But he has one big advantage in that race and that's the profile on the most of the mountain stages which are very steep in Spain. It's a shame that such a rider had never won some of the grand tours, he has his chances but he's not my favourite for...
Even at that age Purito is still amongst the best climbers in the world. But he has one big advantage in that race and that's the profile on the most of the mountain stages which are very steep in Spain. It's a shame that such a rider had never won some of the grand tours, he has his chances but he's not my favourite for the end victory.
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Alexa Alexa 8 years ago
I dont agree with Johnajax.I think Joaquim Rodriguez definitely can win this seasons La Vuelta.Key for Rodriguez to hande the attack Tom Dumoulin.If he can do that,he will win it.Biggest advantage for Joaquim Rodriguez are home fans,they will give him needed strength to finish first.
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Johnajax 8 years ago
So far he is really great but I think that he can't won in this race. Fabio Aru is my favorite here for sure but I am not into this sport as I was before all that things with Armstrong. Still I love to watch but who knows what will be next year and who knows who is clear and who is not, so all that winnings I take with...
So far he is really great but I think that he can't won in this race. Fabio Aru is my favorite here for sure but I am not into this sport as I was before all that things with Armstrong. Still I love to watch but who knows what will be next year and who knows who is clear and who is not, so all that winnings I take with conations.
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