UAE Team Emirates’ Tadej Pogačar put on another display of sheer brilliance during stage 13 of the 2019 Vuelta a España, and in doing so took his second stage win in just five days. The unbelievable result also launched the 20-year-old star into third place in the white jersey, as he sits now +17″ on Miguel Angel Lopez (Astana) at the top of the Youth Classification.
The day didn’t start out well for the Emirati formation, with news that Fabio Aru would retire from La Vuelta. However, all that was forgotten as the stage reached the business end and a select group of 29 GC riders hit the bottom of Los Machucos – the seventh categorized climb of the afternoon. With 6.5km of constant climbing – and sections featuring brutal gradients in excess of 25% – it was always going to be a true test of the strongest riders in the bunch.
With 6kms to go Nairo Quintana was the first of the GC contenders to attack, as he closed the gap on Pierre Latour (AG2R La Mondiale) who had attempted to solo away a few kilometres earlier. However Pogačar , and his Slovenian rival Primoz Roglic (Jumbo Visma), proved too strong for everyone as they accelerated away from the bunch and reeled in both Quintana and Latour with less than 2kms to go. With the finish line in touching distance Pogacar managed to find another gear, riding Roglic off his wheel and crossing the line first to take his 7th win and UAE Team Emirates’ 24th win of the season.
Pogačar now sits just over three minutes behind the race leader Roglic and 46” off a second place spot, behind World Champion Alejandro Valverde (Movistar).
On his current form Pogačar said: “At the start I didn’t know I would feel so good on the last climb. In fact, I just wanted to survive because after stage 7, my goal was simply to not lose too much time. But in the end it was an incredible day for me.
When I heard over the radio that nobody was following me and Roglic, I realised that it was a good opportunity to go for the stage. And with Roglic it’s always difficult to go against him because he’s really strong. I could do that today and I’m really, really happy.”
Roglic Adds to Lead
Pogačar’s Slovenian compatriot Primoz Roglic extended his overall leadership, gaining on the rivals on the steep ramps to Los Machucos. Roglic crossed the finish line behind fellow Slovenian Tadej Pogacar, whilst Frenchman Pierre Latour completed the day’s podium.
The 29-year-old born in Trbovlje leads the overall standings with 2’25” on Spain’s Alejandro Valverde and 3’01” on Pogacar.
Thanks to his fifth podium – first in Pau’s time trial, second in Mas de la Costa and Los Machucos and third in Calpe and Cortals d’Encamp – Roglic leads the Points Classification with 109 point, ahead of Pogacar (86) and Colombian Nairo Quintana (82).
Stage 13 Brief Results:
- Tadej Pogačar (Slo) UAE Team Emirates 4h28’26”
- Primoz Roglic (Slo) Jumbo-Visma s.t.
- Pierre Latour (Fra) Ag2R La Mondiale 27″
General Classification After Stage 13
- Primoz Roglic (Slo) Jumbo-Visma 49h20’28”
- Alejandro Valverde (Esp) Movistar 2’25”
- Tadej Pogačar (Slo) UAE Team Emirates 3’01”
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