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Chris Froome closes gap on Alberto Contador in Vuelta a España Alberto Contador on track but Chris Froome enhances podium ambitions
(about 2 hours later)
Fabio Aru of Italy won stage 18 of the Vuelta a España while Alberto Contador kept the leader’s red jersey with three stages remaining. Chris Froome finished one second behind, gaining time overall, and Alejandro Valverde came third, 13 seconds behind. Fabio Aru of Italy won stage 18 of the Vuelta a España while Alberto Contador kept the leader’s red jersey with three stages remaining. Chris Froome finished one second behind, gaining time overall, and Alejandro Valverde came third, 13sec behind.
Froome, who charged up the Monte Castrove ascent with Aru just behind him, improved to second overall, one minute 19 seconds behind Contador, having overtaken Valverde, who was third overall, 1:32 down.Froome, who charged up the Monte Castrove ascent with Aru just behind him, improved to second overall, one minute 19 seconds behind Contador, having overtaken Valverde, who was third overall, 1:32 down.
Although Contador looked tired and conceded time to Froome, he appears totally recovered from the broken shin that forced him to retire from the Tour de France on 15 July. Although Contador looked tired and conceded time, he appears to have recovered from the broken shin that forced him to retire from the Tour de France on 15 July.
Froome’s Team Sky squad led the peloton and the 2013 Tour de France winner nicked a few bonus seconds at the intermediate sprint with 8km to go. Froome’s Team Sky squad led the peloton and the 2013 Tour de France winner gained a few bonus seconds at the intermediate sprint with 8km to go.
The real action took place on the second climb to the finish, with Warren Barguil (Garmin-Shimano) attacking. The Frenchman has been linked with a move to Team Sky in 2015.The real action took place on the second climb to the finish, with Warren Barguil (Garmin-Shimano) attacking. The Frenchman has been linked with a move to Team Sky in 2015.
Barguil’s move was short-lived as a select group caught him and the counter attacks continued, with Katusha attempting to help their leader Joaquin Rodríguez. Barguil’s move was short-lived as a select group caught him and the counter-attacks continued, with Katusha attempting to help their leader Joaquin Rodríguez.
Jérôme Coppel (Cofidis) then made his move before Aru (Astana), who began the day in fifth, accelerated. Rodríguez followed, with Valverde, Contador and Froome chasing him.Jérôme Coppel (Cofidis) then made his move before Aru (Astana), who began the day in fifth, accelerated. Rodríguez followed, with Valverde, Contador and Froome chasing him.
Froome then jumped towards Aru with 2.5km to go and Contador, Valverde and Rodríguez did not follow. Froome caught Aru, with the pair cresting the summit together before making a bid for the finish line. Aru was able to claim victory but Froome’s move saw him enhance his podium ambitions and keep his dream of a possible second Grand Tour title alive. Froome then jumped towards Aru with 2.5km to go, and Contador, Valverde and Rodríguez did not follow. Froome caught Aru, with the pair cresting the summit together before making a bid for the finish line. Aru was able to claim victory but Froome’s move saw him enhance his podium ambitions and keep alive his dream of a possible second Grand Tour title.
The race ends on Sunday after two more hilly stages and an individual time trial.The race ends on Sunday after two more hilly stages and an individual time trial.