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2023 Vuelta a Espana: Stage 15 Results

  • Ron 

Rui Costa (Intermarché-Circus-Wanty) maneuvered perfectly to win stage 15 of the 2023 Vuelta a Espana in Lekunberri at the end of an extremely intense day of racing on Navarra roads. At 36 years old, the Portuguese veteran made the break of the day after a huge battle animated by Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step). Everyone looked at the Belgian star in the front group, until Costa and Santiago Buitrago (Bahrain Victorious) set off on the final ascent. Lennard Kämna (Bora-Hansgrohe) joined them and almost took the cake. But Costa bid his time to take his fourth Grand Tour win, ten years after his last success in the Tour de France. Sepp Kuss (Jumbo-Visma) moves into the second rest day with La Roja on his shoulders. But many ascents await the riders in the third and final week towards Madrid.

After two gruelling days in the Pyrenees, the peloton of La Vuelta 23 faced a hilly and tricky stage in Navarra, from Pamplona to Lekunberri. Lots of riders identified this day as a significant opportunity for the breakaway and a huge battle ensues.

On the day after his victory in Larra-Belagua, Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step) was extremely active again. But, as Romain Grégoire put it at the start, “130 riders are motivated”. Even the GC contenders moved on the first ascent of the day, the 19.3km long climb up Puerto de Lizarraga (summit at km 79.8).

The last winner in Lekunberri, Marc Soler (UAE Team Emirates), attacked, and Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) followed his move. Some 35 riders get back together at km 63, including the GC contenders. Counter-attackers immediately set off and a breakaway formed on the downhill.

Evenepoel was at the front, with Buitrago (Bahrain Victorious), Elissonde (Lidl-Trek), Molard (Groupama-FDJ), Denz, Kämna (Bora-Hansgrohe), Janssens (Alpecin-Deceuninck), Kron (Lotto Dstny), Caicedo (EF Education-EasyPost), Bouchard, Vendrame (AG2R Citroën), Costa (Intermarché-Circus-Wanty), Rubio (Movistar Team), Hamilton (DSM-firmenich) and Cristian Rodriguez (Arkéa-Samsic). Jumbo-Visma and Alpecin-Deceuninck try to control the gap under 3 minutes.

The breakaway exploded on the first ascent up the Puerto de Zuarrarrate (7.3km at 4.8%). Evenepoel lead the way to the summit (38km to go) with Buitrago, Rubio, Kämna, Costa, Kron, Rodriguez, Hamilton, and Janssens. The peloton trailed by 3’30’’.

Janssens anticipated the intermediate sprint to ensure he took 20 points (and Evenepoel doesn’t). He lead the way to the bottom of the final climb of the day. But Buitrago and Costa quickly get back to the Belgian and drop him. Evenepoel drove the chase, with the help of Kämna, who set off and bridged the gap on his own just before the summit.

The three of them battle on the downhill to Lekunberri. Kämna opened a gap with 4km to go… But he crashed in a turn just one kilometer further! Costa and Buitrago look at each other. Kämna got back for the last kilometer and opened up the sprint. But Costa passes him right on the line.

Stage 15 Brief Results:

  1. Rui Costa (Intermarche – Circus-Wanty) @ 3h 30′ 56″
  2. Lennard Kamna (Bora Hanshrohe) s.t.
  3. Santiago Buitrago Sanchex (Bahrain Victorious) s.t.
  4. Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step) @ 2″
  5. Andreas Kron (Lotto Dstny) s.t.

General Classification After Stage 15:

1. Sepp Kuss (Jumbo-Visma) @ 54h 38′ 42”
2. Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma), +1’37”
3. Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma), +1’44”
4. Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates), +2’37”
5. Enric Mas (Movistar), +3’06”

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