Almeida 4th on tough day at La Vuelta

The 14th stage of the Vuelta a Espana was a two-faced stage, arriving in Sierra de la Pandera after a 160.3 km race, with UAE Team Emirates taking a double top-10 through Joao Almeida and Juan Ayuso.

The first 100km of the day were flat with many attacks and splits, with UAE Team Emirates initially being caught out and forced to push and work well as a team to get back in contact with the group.

Only after 80km at the foot of the first GPM, 9.8 km at 3.5%, did the breakaway develop an advantage, gradually gaining more and more on the pursuers.

The race, however, was decided on the last ascent to the finish line with 8.4km at an average 7.8% and peaks at 15%.
In the group various attacks put the leader Remco Evenepoel (Deceuninck-Quickstep) in difficulty, with Almeida gaining ground to finish fourth at 27” behind the winner Carapaz (INEOS-Grenadiers).

There was bad luck for Ayuso who lost time due to a puncture, but managed to finish in the top 10 with less than a minute lost.

Almeida: “Today we raced full gas from start to finish. The team came together at the beginning of the day after we had a nervous moment with splits. In the end the legs were good and I managed a good result. Unfortunately Juan got caught up with a puncture on the last climb but he managed to save the situation. I think tomorrow is going to be a key stage. I trained in Sierra Nevada a lot this year so know the roads well and how hard they are.“

 
Tomorrow another stage that could prove decisive: 149.6km scheduled with departure from Martos and arrival in Sierra Nevada.

Results 14th stage:

1. Richard Carapaz (INEOS-Grendiers) 4h09’27 ”

2.Miguel Angel Lopez (Astana Qazaqstan Team) +8″
3.Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma) s.t.

4.João Almeida (UAE Team Emirates) +27 ”
9.Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates) +56 ”

 
General classification after the 14th stage:

 
1.Remco Evenepoel (Deceuninck-Quickstep) 52h21’33 ”

2.Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma) + 1’49”

3.Enric Mas (Movistar) + 2’43 ”

5.Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates) +4 ’53 ”

7.Joao Almeida (UAE Team Emirates) + 6’49”