Tour of Spain
Spanish cycling has a new pet: Pablo Castrillo (23) has given Equipo Kern Pharma a second prestigious stage victory in this Vuelta. The tough Spaniard won on the monstrous Cuitu Negru. Among the favourites, Primoz Roglic and Enric Mas made up more than half a minute on Ben O’Connor, but the Australian will start the final week as the leader. Roglic was subsequently given a time penalty.
The 15th stage of the Vuelta in a nutshell
- winner of the day
The fairytale of Pablo Castrillo continues. After his first professional victory three days ago, the 23-year-old Spaniard confirms his breakthrough. On the steepest meters uphill in this Vuelta, Castrillo crawled to a second stage victory. This time he dealt with experienced big guns Vlasov and Sivakov from a strong breakaway.
- classification man of the day
Well, who? At first it seemed to be Primoz Roglic, but then suddenly Enric Mas came up and about the Slovenian’s strong attack. And Ben O’Connor also surprised by clinging to his red jersey, despite the good half minute loss again. He also starts the third week as leader, where much still seems possible.
- remarkable
The great revelation of this Vuelta has revealed himself in the person of Pablo Castrillo. In a few days, he has won his first professional victories on the highest stage. Even his small wildcard team Equipo Kern Pharma must undoubtedly be rubbing their eyes for the greatest triumphs in their history. This really did happen!
- morning
For the second time, the riders get a day of rest. In Oviedo, they press the pause button before starting the third week on Tuesday. Immediately with a tough challenge in the mountain stage to Lagos de Covadonga. That is where Primoz Roglic laid the foundation for his final victory in 2021 with a strong takeover of the red jersey. Will it inspire him to another blast to the leader’s jersey?
Favorites already stirring on first climb of the day
The apotheosis of the second week was quite something, with the toughest challenge that could shake up the rankings once again.
And the favorites started their workday early. After a cracking start on the flat, it all fell apart on the first climb of the day.
UAE Team Emirates created excitement by sending one rider after another into the offensive. One of those jabs was answered by challenger Primoz Roglic himself. The game was on the wagon, also red jersey Ben O’Connor followed.
When things quieted down a bit after those pinpricks between the men in the classification, a leading group crept away into the valley.
Of course UAE was well represented again, with Pavel Sivakov as the best placed rider at the front. Jay Vine collected enough points to come next to king of the mountains Van Aert. Our compatriot officially remains the leader.
Another escapee joins the party with Castrillo, O’Connor stays in the red jersey
Once again, a leading group was offered the stage win, for the fifth time in six days in the second week. Only Mikel Landa put his teammates to work behind the strong attackers.
Sivakov also maintained the pace at the front on the steep final climb Cuitu Negru. In his wheel were Aleksandr Vlasov and Pablo Castrillo ready for a jump to stage victory. Castrillo immediately dared this at the start of the beastly final sections.
Vlasov did come back on the pieces to more than 20%, but Castrillo is a tough guy. His umpteenth time gritting his teeth in the mist was the right one. Another stunt for the young Spaniard and his small team Equipo Kern Pharma.
Among the favorites, Roglic opened with a bang. For a moment, the Slovenian seemed to have set off again for a huge gain of time, until the engine stalled a bit. Enric Mas rejoined and in turn left Roglic behind.
The finisher par excellence fought his way to the rear wheel of Mas at the finish line. Red jersey O’Connor came in 38 seconds later and thus holds on to his lead. On the second rest day, the Australian leads with a 43-second bonus on Roglic.
At least, that’s how it seemed. The jury later handed out a time penalty to Roglic after his planned bike change just before the final climb. 20 seconds on his pants, for riding too long in the track behind his own follow-up car. Was that bike change worth it?
Confused Roglic: “I don’t know how much time I lose to the leader”
Primoz Roglic seemed to climb with wings for a moment, but they were clipped in the final phase. Enric Mas outflanked him, although the Slovenian was on the white line in the wake of his Spanish competitor.
But where was the red jersey? “I don’t know how much time I lose on the leader. Was he in front of us?”, Roglic asked surprisingly just after the finish in the mist. The number 2 was pleasantly surprised that he had gained more than half a minute on Ben O’Connor.
“That’s a good performance after a difficult week and a tough day. Gaining seconds is better than losing time, right? So I’m happy.”
Castrillo, what a tough guy he is! A cat with not 9, but 10 lives.
Jose De Cauwer
Roglic and Mas come in together, leader O’Connor has to give up some time again
O’Connor loses 37 seconds, but still remains leader!
As leader, Ben O’Connor will also start the final week of the Vuelta. He loses time again, but limits the damage to 37 seconds. This way, he remains half a minute ahead of Roglic in the rankings.
Roglic comes back a bit in the final kilometer on Mas. In the wheel of the Spaniard he comes up a good minute later.
What a picture! Castrillo wins on beastly Cuitu Negru
Pablo Castrillo actually climbs to his second stage win on Cuitu Negru!
The revelation of this Vuelta! Pablo Castrillo scores his second stage win in this Vuelta, a new stunt for wildcard team Equipo Kern Pharma. On the Cuitu Negru he clearly crept away from Vlasov in the final, at 13 seconds.
In the mist, Castrillo shakes off his Russian companion once more. Is this the right gear or will Vlasov return?
Mas even rides away from Roglic
Mas puts Roglic under pressure!
Roglic does not stand out today. Mas goes all the way, although the difference remains limited.
From the depths of his arsenal of strength, Castillo finds the strength to stand on the pedals for a moment. This gives him a gap on Vlasov, who fights back.
Mas rides towards Roglic, O’Connor can’t quite keep up
In the final kilometre Vlasov comes to Castrillo. Another stretch of more than 20%, they both swerve from one side to the other. Suffering like animals!
Mas and Roglic would be about 15 seconds ahead of O’Connor, which would allow the Australian to retain his red jersey for the start of the third week.
Vlasov is coming to Castrillo. While behind him Mas is brave and rushes towards Roglic. Everything remains on a handkerchief on these steep sections.
Lipowitz launches Roglic in a staffy manner
With 1.5 km to go, Castrillo is still holding on. Is another stunt coming for the small Equipo Kern Pharma?
Roglic alone
Without Lipowitz, Roglic is now pushing on all alone. Behind him, everything is gathering again with the other favorites. The Slovenian seems to be standing out again today.
Red Bull gives you wings!
Jose De Cauwer
Tour of Spain
rit | datum | start – finish | type rit | total | winner | unfortunately | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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1 | 17/08 | Lisbon – Oeiras | 12 km | Brandon McNulty | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2 | 18/08 | Cascais – Ourem | 194 km | Wout van Aert | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3 | 19/08 | Lousã – White Castle | 191,2 km | Wout van Aert | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
4 | 20/08 | Plasencia – Villuercas Peak | 170,4 km | Primož Roglic | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5 | 21/08 | Fountain of the Master – Seville | 177 km | Primož Roglic | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
6 | 22/08 | The town of Yunquera is a small town in the province of Jerez de la Frontera, in the province of Yunquera. | 185,5 km | Ben O’Connor | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
7 | 23/08 | Archidona – Cordoba | 179,2 km | Ben O’Connor | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
8 | 24/08 | Ubeda – Cazorla | 158,4 km | Ben O’Connor | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
9 | 25/08 | Motril – Granada | 178,2 km | Ben O’Connor | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
rest day 26/08 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
10 | 27/08 | Pontareas – Bayonne | 159,6 km | Ben O’Connor | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
11 | 28/08 | Register – Register | 164,2 km | Ben O’Connor | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
12 | 29/08 | Orense – Manzaneda Mountain Station | 137,4 km | Ben O’Connor | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
13 | 30/08 | Lugo – Port of Ancares | 175,6 km | Ben O’Connor | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
14 | 31/08 | Villafranca del Bierzo – Villablino | 200,4 km | Ben O’Connor | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
15 | 01/09 | Infiesto – Black Fur | 142,9 km | Ben O’Connor | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
rest day 02/09 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
16 | 03/09 | Luanco – Lakes of Covadonga | 181,3 km | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
17 | 04/09 | Arnuero – Santander | 141,5 km | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
18 | 05/09 | Vitoria-Gasteiz – Maeztu | 179,3 km | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
19 | 06/09 | Logroño – Alto de Moncalvillo | 173,2 km | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
20 | 07/09 | Villarcayo – White Peak | 172 km | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
21 | 08/09 | Madrid – Madrid | 24,6 km |