Stage 18 at La Vuelta served up a spice laden attack fest, a gutsy solo victory and a switcheroo on GC. Stage winning honours went to Sergio Higuita of EF Education First. The young Grand Tour debutant attacked out of the breakaway on the penultimate descent with FIFTY kilometres to go. Tenaciously holding his advantage over an elite chasing foursome all the way to the line. Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma) outsprinted Alejandro Valverde for second on the stage to strengthen his hold on red. The rainbow clad Spaniard regained second place overall from his Movistar teammate Nairo Quintana. Miguel Angel Lopez (Astana) never stopped attacking, his fourth place on the stage enough to regain fourth on GC and the Young Rider’s jersey from Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates).
