Vasil Kiryienka of Belarus broke away before a final grueling ascent to win the 18th stage of the Spanish Vuelta on Thursday, while overall leader Vincenzo Nibali had his advantage over Christopher Horner cut to 3 seconds with three days to go.
Kiryienka finished in a provisional time of 4 hours, 46 minutes, 48 seconds following a 116-mile route starting in Burgos and passing over four major climbs before a final uphill push to the finishing line at Pena Cabarga.
The 41-year-old Horner used an impressive burst to pull away from Nibali over the final stretch where the slope reached 20 degrees, gaining 25 seconds on his rival.
This was the first of three decisive mountain stages in northern Spain before the traditional finish in Madrid on Sunday.
Stage 18 Brief Results:
- Vasil Kiryienka (Belarus / Team Sky) 4:46:48″
- Chris Sorensen (Denmark / Saxo – Tinkoff) +28″
- Adam Hansen (Australia / Lotto) +1:18″
- Martin Kohler (Switzerland / BMC Racing) +1:34″
- Egoi Martinez (Spain / Euskaltel) +1:42″
- Chris Horner (U.S. / RadioShack) +1:53″
- Amets Txurruka (Spain / Caja Rural) +2:02″
- Joaquim Rodriguez (Spain / Katusha) +2:13″
- Alejandro Valverde (Spain / Movistar) +2:14″
- Vincenzo Nibali (Italy / Astana) +2:18″
General Classification After Stage 18:
- Vincenzo Nibali (Italy / Astana) 73:39:35″
- Chris Horner (U.S. / RadioShack) +3″
- Alejandro Valverde (Spain / Movistar) +1:10″
- Joaquim Rodriguez (Spain / Katusha) +2:24″
- Nicolas Roche (Ireland / Saxo – Tinkoff) +3:43″
- Domenico Pozzovivo (Italy / AG2R) +5:44″
- Thibaut Pinot (France / FDJ.fr) +6:14″
- Leopold Koenig (Czech Republic / NetApp) +6:35″
- Samuel Sanchez (Spain / Euskaltel) +7:51″
- Tanel Kangert (Estonia / Astana) +11:10″