After Fabio Aru’s stage win and Chris Froome’s attacking ride to gain time, Stage 19 will definitely feel like some respite for Vuelta a Espana race leader Alberto Contador. Join us here for all the action from 12 midnight AEST.
Stage 19 is a 180.5 kilometre race from Salvaterra de Mino to Cangas de Morrazo, and rather unusually for the Vuelta, is not a summit finish.
But the stage isn’t an all-out sprinter’s affair either.
There are two category 2 climbs on the stage, with the Alto Monte Faro coming just 15 kilometres from the finish. If the general classification riders are in a resting mood, the likes of John Degenkolb might be able to get over them in the group and contest the stage.
However, if the now-second-placed Chris Froome has his eye on more time gains, it’s unlikely we’ll see any of the fast finishers make it to the line in the front group.
It could be ideal breakaway territory with it being late in the third week, there are some very tired legs in the peloton, and an opportunist such as Luis Leon Sanchez might want to try his hand.
As ever with the Vuelta, there is an element of uncertainty about how the day’s stage will unfold. We’ll have all the coverage of the action here on The Roar.
Tomas Fish
Roar Guru
Thankyou for joining me for stage 19 of the Vuelta a Espana. Make sure you keep visiting The Roar for all the coverage of the last weekend of the race.
Tomas Fish
Roar Guru
Good news, Dario Cataldo is back on his bike and is trying to finish the stage.
Tomas Fish
Roar Guru
Confirmation from Sky that it was Dario Cataldo who crashed.
Tomas Fish
Roar Guru
Michael Matthews was the next Aussie across the line in fifth.
Tomas Fish
Roar Guru
Alberto Contador and Chris Froome finished together.
Tomas Fish
Roar Guru
Should be no change on general classification.
Tomas Fish
Roar Guru
Adam Hansen has won the day! A stage win for the Aussie hardman! John Degenkolb wins the sprint for second.
Tomas Fish
Roar Guru
Last kilometre for Hansen!
Tomas Fish
Roar Guru
Last kilometre for Hansen!
Tomas Fish
Roar Guru
Adam Hansen has fourteen seconds!
Tomas Fish
Roar Guru
Three kilometres to go for Adam Hansen who has 7 seconds.
Tomas Fish
Roar Guru
A Cofidis rider also jumps off the front.
Tomas Fish
Roar Guru
Adam Hansen has had a dig off the front of the peloton.
Tomas Fish
Roar Guru
Michael Matthews and John Degenkolb are both in the front group.
Tomas Fish
Roar Guru
Lutsenko has been caught as the peloton hit a ramp.
Tomas Fish
Roar Guru
Seven kilometres to go and Lutsenko is still in front.
Tomas Fish
Roar Guru
John Degenkolb has made this front group.
Tomas Fish
Roar Guru
We've just seen a replay of the crash, his back wheel slides out and it looks like he makes contact with a tree.
Tomas Fish
Roar Guru
Lutsenko has fourteen seconds. Still no news on the Sky rider, he was lying very still.
Tomas Fish
Roar Guru
Looks like Cataldo but I'm not sure. That did not look good, he might have hit a tree.