In a day that was expected to be one for the sprinters, Jelle Wallays held off the sprinters to take Stage 18 of the 2018 Vuelta a Espana from a 181km breakaway run.
Stage 18 of the 2018 Vuelta a Espana was a bit of a reprieve after some of the more challenging stages earlier in the week. No categorized climbs meant a day for the sprinters to strut their stuff. Traveling from Ejea de los Caballeros to Lleida at 186.1 kilometres, the route is tailor made for fast finishers.
The day starts with Simon Yates still in possession of the red race leader’s jersey. The race leader lost 8 seconds to Alejandro Valverde in yesterday’s challenging stage, but Valverde’s teammate Nairo Quintana also showed signs of cracking.
Just 5km into the stage and Jetse Bol (BBH), Sven Erik Bystrøm (UAD) and Jelle Wallays (LTS) broke off the front of the peloton and opened a slight gap. There was little reaction from the peloton on what could chalk up to be a rolling rest day for the group. It was pushing 100 degrees on the road.
About 60km into the stage, the gap of the breakaway seemed to stabilize at around two and a half minutes, though it soon fell under the two minute mark with 72km to go. Speeds in the peloton were averaging around 47km/h.
30km out from the finish in Lleida, the leaders were still a little over two minutes ahead, but Marcus Burghardt had moved to lead the chase in support of Peter Sagan, who likely found today’s finish suitable to his sprinting style.
The peloton turns up the speed to over 60km/h as the race entered the final kilometers. It was dangerous out there with the GC leaders making sure they stay in position and the sprint teams jostling around as well.
With 10km remaining, the leaders’ advantage dropped to under a minute. Wallays and Bystrom went out alone, but Bol was pushing to reconnect.
Wallays and Bystrom still led by 34 seconds with 5km remaining. Bol popped and quick fell through the back of the peloton.
The roads were tight in the final kilometers, making it easier for Wallays and Bystrom to stay out front.
With 1km to go, Wallays and Bystrom still had a gap of 15 seconds over the peloton. The peloton was surging.
Sagan launched with 350km to do. Wallays dug deep and took the win!
Stage 18 Brief Results:
- Jelle Wallays (LTS) at 3h57’03”
- Sven Erik Bystrom (UAD) s.t.
- Peter Sagan (BOH) s.t.
- Elia Viviani (QST) s.t.
- I Garcia Cortina (TBM) s.t.
- Danny Van Poppel (TLJ) s.t.
- J. Aberasturi (EUS) s.t.
- T. Van Asbroeck (EFD) s.t.
- Giacomo Nizzolo (TFS) s.t.
- R. Gibbons (DDD) s.t.
General Classification After Stage 18:
- Simon Yates (MTS) at 69h 05’34”
- Alejandro Valverde (MOV) at 25”
- E. Mas (QST) at 1’22″
- Miguel Angel Lopez (AST) at 1’36”
- Steven Kruijswijk (TLJ) at 1’48”
- Nairo Quintana (MOV) at 2’11″
- Jon Izaguirre (TBM) at 4’09”
- Rigoberto Uran (EFD) at 4’36”
- Thibaut Pinot (GFC) at 5’31”
- Tony Gallopin at (AGR) 6’05”
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