Vuelta a España (Spain) - Press Release: Jesus Herrada (Cofidis) made the most of the lumpy roads leading to Ares del Maestrat claiming victory on the very next day after his brother José finished 3rd in Javalambre. The Spaniard, who wore La Roja for two days at La Vuelta 18, dominated Dylan Teuns (Bahrain-Merida) and the rest of his breakaway companions in the final climb to take his first Grand Tour stage win. The Belgian rider takes the leader’s red jersey from Miguel Angel Lopez (Astana Pro Team), who finished in the bunch with his GC rivals. Nicolas Roche (Team Sunweb) and Rigoberto Uran (EF Education First) crashed out of the race.

Angel Madrazo’s victory in Javalambre had many riders inspired and the battle for the breakaway is an extremely intense one. Attacks fly from the gun, with many groups jumping ahead of the bunch and being caught. Wout Poels (Team Ineos) puts in a strong solo effort over the first two climbs, the Puerto de Nogueruelas (cat-2) and the Puerto de Linares (cat-3), but the peloton gets back to him after 41km.

Eleven riders immediately counter and eventually manage to break away: Nelson Oliveira (Movistar Team), Dorian Godon (AG2R La Mondiale), Dylan Teuns (Bahrain-Merida), Pawel Poljanski (Bora-Hansgrohe), Tejay Van Garderen (EF Education First), Bruno Armirail (Groupama-FDJ), Tsgabu Grmay (Mitchelton-Scott), David de la Cruz (Team Ineos), Robert Gesink (Jumbo-Visma), Gianluca Brambilla (Trek-Segafredo) and Jesus Herrada (Cofidis).