Vuelta 2014: Colombian party - Anacona stage win, Quintana GC lead

Sunday, August 31 - In stage 9 it's climber's alert for the second time in the 2014 Vuelta. The party is on in the second half of the race with three climbs, including an uphill finish. Winner Anacona takes an early escape to an brilliant victory, whilst his countryman Nairo Quintana is the new man in red. Brilliant performance by Contador, he is only 3 seconds behind the Colombian. (Slideshow route/profile)

Vuelta 2014: Results 9th stage

1. Winner Anacona (col)
2. Alexey Lutsenko (Kaz) + 0.45
3. Damiano Cunego (ita) + 0.50
4. Javier Moreno (spa) + 1.04
5. Peio Bilbao (spa) + 1.12
6. Jerome Coppel (fra) + 1.21
7. Ryder Hesjedal (can) + 1.33
8. Adam Hansen (aus) + 1.45
9. Bob Jungels (lux) + 1.49
10. Fabio Felline (ita) + 2.08

12. Alberto Contador (spa) + 2.16
13. Joaquim Rodriguez (spa) s.t.
14. Nairo Quintana (col) s.t.
16. Alejandro Valverde (spa) 2.39
17. Fabio Aru (ita) s.t.
18. Chris Froome (gbr) s.t.
19. Rigoberto Uran (col) s.t.
20. Daniel Martin (Irl) s.t.
24. Robert Gesink (nld) + 2.55
32. Wilco Kelderman (nld) + 3.14

GC after 9th stage
1. Nairo Quintana (col)
2. Alberto Contador (spa) + 0.03
3. Alejandro Valverde (spa) + 0.08
4. Winner Anacona (col) + 0.09
5. Chris Froome (gbr) + 0.28
6. Joaquin Rodriguez (spa) + 0.30
7. Fabio Aru (ita) + 1.06
8. Robert Gesink (Nld) + 1.19
9. Rigoberto Uran (col) + 1.26
10. Warren Barguil (fra) s.t.

12. Esteban Chaves (col) + 1.34
13. Samuel Sánchez (spa) + 1.35
15. Daniel Martin (Irl) + 1.42
16. Wilco Kelderman (Nld) + 1.49

Race report
The start is fast and spectacular with loads of riders trying to break free, but it’s only after 30 kilometres when the split actually occurs. A bunch of 31 riders are off for an max advantage of over 8 minutes. Amongst the escapees are Ryder Hesjedal, Julián Arredondo, Winner Anacona and the leader in the mountains classification Más Bonet.

Best placed rider in the front group is Winner Anacona – 21st at 2’50” from Alejandro Valverde.

At the penultimate climb Anacona attacks en he is accompanied by Bob Jungels and Javier Moreno. The three are still together at the closing climb and it looks like one of them will take the stage. Moreno thinks it should be him and he attacks, but Anacona takes over and soloes to victory. Will it be enough for the red jersey?

At the bottom of the closing climb all GC-men are together with a 5 minutes deficit. They are powering uphill and closing in on the leader. In the ultimate kilometre Contador breaks free. Quintana and Rodríguez start chasing, whilst Froome and Valverde can’t keep their pace.

At the finish line Purito and Quintana are closing in on Contador, but Froome and Valverde lose seconds. Quintana is the new overall leader, Contador is on his heels.