Vuelta 2022: Herrada wins from the breakaway, Evenepoel still in red

foto: Cor VosJesús Herrada wins the 7th stage of La Vuelta from the breakaway. He outsprints his fellow-attackers Samuele Battistella, Fred Wright, Harry Sweeny and Jimmy Janssens in the streets of Cistierna. Remco Evenepoel stays in the GC lead. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 7th stage 2022 Vuelta

1. Jesús Herrada (spa)
2. Samuele Battistella (ita) s.t.
3. Fred Wright (gbr) s.t.
4. Jimmy Janssens (bel) s.t.
5. Harry Sweeny (aus) s.t.
6. Sam Bennett (irl) + 0.20
7. Jake Stewart (gbr) s.t.
8. Kaden Groves (aus) s.t.
9. Mads Pedersen (den) s.t.
10. Daniel McLay (gbr) s.t.

GC after stage 7

1. Remco Evenepoel (bel)
2. Rudy Molard (fra) + 0.21
3. Enric Mas (spa) + 0.28
4. Primoz Roglic (slo) + 1.01
5. Juan Ayuso (spa) + 1.12
6. Pavel Sivakov (fra) + 1.27
7. Tao Geoghegan Hart (gbr) s.t.
8. Carlos Rodriguez (spa) + 1.34
9. Simon Yates (gbr) + 1.52
10. João Almeida (por) + 1.54

Race report
Alexey Lutsenko is the first rider to attack. He is brought back and then Samuele Battistella, Fred Wright, Jesús Herrada, Omer Goldstein, Harry Sweeny and Jimmy Janssens give it a go. The six open up a gap of more than 4 minutes.

The lead group crests the San Glorio climb 2.50 minutes ahead of the peloton. Merlier and Ackermann have been dropped early in the ascent, Bennett in the last 2 kilometres, but he regains contact inside the last 50 kilometres.

The 5 remaining leaders – Goldstein is dropped on the San Glorio – hold off the charging peloton. Wright opens the sprint early. Too early. Battistella and Herrada overhaul him in the dying metres before the Spaniard takes the spoils with an ultimate jump.

Bennett wins the peloton sprint, while the GC remains unchanged with Evenepoel in the red jersey.

Another interesting read: route 7th stage 2022 Vuelta.