Vuelta 2018: FINAL KM STAGES 1-9

A week packed with some spicy stage finishes, three riders slipping the red jerset around their shoulders and some unexpected and joyful stage victories. All characteristics that make a great Vuelta – we LOVE it. Here’s a quick rundown from stages one to nine.

Stage 1

Race organisers eschewed the usually crazy team time trial opener in favour of the individual type. BMC’s Rohan Dennis said thank you very much as he swept to the stop step of red jersey podium.

Catch the VeloVoices take on the action with our stage review

Stage 2

One of those hilly ‘flat’ stages the Vuelta is famous for. A short sharp finish and a 10th Vuelta victory for wily Alejandro Valverde (Movistar). BMC teammates Rohan Dennis and Richie Porte both lost a bucketful of time and Sky’s Michal Kwiatkowski moves into red.

Our review is here

Stage 3

First sprint proper and the rider with the best lead out and fastest legs was Quick Step Floor’s Elia Viviani – what a scorcher of a finish. The lead remains with Michal Kwiatkowski (Sky)

Our review is here.

Stage 4

First mountain top finish and the break of the day made it all the way. Ben King (Dimension Data) took stage honours. Michal Kwiatkowski (Sky) stays in red but Emanuel Buchman (BORA-hansgrohe), Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) and Simon Yates (Mitchelton-Scott) all gain time on their rivals.

Our review is here.

Stage 5

A stage when the breakaway took both victory and the GC lead. This time it was a superb win for the EF Pinkies and Simon Clarke played it cool to take their first WorldTour win of the season. Groupama FDJ’s Rudy Molard takes the red jersey.

Our review is here.

Stage 6

The Vuelta got spicy with a chaotic final 20kms featuring crashes and some echelon action. Nacer Bouhanni bossed the reduced bunch sprint. Rudy Molard stays in red but teammate Thibaut Pinot and Sunweb’s Wilco Kelderman both lose time.

Our review is here.

Stage 7

The French did it again as Tony Gallopin (AG2R La Mondiale) made the perfect move at the opportune moment to claim the stage. Rudy Molard survived another chaotic finale to remain in red while Michal Kwiatkowski crashed and dropped out of the Top 5 on GC.

Our review is here

Stage 8

It all came down to a sprint finish. It looked to be ending with a first Vuelta win for Peter Sagan (BORA-hansgrohe) right up until Movistar’s new sprinter Alejandro Valverde pounced to take his second Vuelta victory.

Our review is here.

Stage 9

Ben King (Dimension Data) uses every last drop of energy to conquer La Covatilla for his second stage win of the week. Behind him the GC was well truly shaken with Mitchelton -Scott’s Simon Yates moving into pole position.