Stage 20 of the Vuelta a Espana was won by Richard Carapaz of Ineos Grenadiers, his third stage win of the race. The Ecuadorian bagged the King of the Mountains jersey on his way to victory. Remco Evenepoel of QuickStep came through the day unscathed to all but seal the overall victory.
Stage 14 of the Vuelta a Espana lavished upon us more drama than the previous 13 stages combined. Richard Carapaz of Ineos just sneaked the stage win from the day’s break, while further down the craggy slopes of the Sierra de la Pandera, Remco Evenepoel’s grip on the GC contest proved to be less than rock solid as a Primoz Roglic-inspired attack showed us that the young Belgian didn’t have what it took to keep pace with his closest rivals.
A win for Richard ‘Billy’ Carapaz on Stage 12 of this year’s Vuelta a Espana was a fight back for the Ecuadorian who had come to this Grand Tour as the leader for INEOS Grenadiers, but who had so far had a rather unremarkable race. Talking of unremarkable races – the 12th stage can be firmly added to this year’s long list of unexceptional stages of La Vuelta 2022. A stage profile so flat (for the most part) that it fooled fans into thinking today was for the sprinters, sprinters who sadly then had to face the monstrous Penas Blancas for the final 20km. No change to the GC despite a crash for race leader Remco Evenepoel (QuickStep) who fights to live another day in red. Bora’s Wilco Kelderman and VeloVoices fave (never thought I’d write this!) Marc Soler (UAE) rounded out the day’s podium.