Spanish sensation Pablo Castrillo surprises again on beastly climb, Ben O’Connor clings to his red jersey

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

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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!

4. 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?

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.

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?

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.”