Vuelta 2014: Degenkolb takes third, Bouhanni crashes

Thursday, September 4 - Stage 12 is a criterium in Logroño with eight times a 20.8 kilometres circuit and the outcome is as expected - a bunch sprint. Nacer Bouhanni is involved in a crash in the last few kilometres, after which the unthreatened John Degenkolb catapults himself to the win. Tom Boonen is second. (Slideshow route/profile)

Vuelta 2014: Results 12th stage

1. John Degenkolb (Ger)
2. Tom Boonen (bel) s.t.
3. Jacopo Guarnieri (ita) s.t.
4. Peter Sagan (Svk) s.t.
5. Maximiliano Richeze (arg) s.t.
6. Yannick Martinez (fra) s.t.
7. Lloyd Mondory (fra) s.t.
8. Fabian Cancellara (Swi) s.t.
9. Jasper Stuyven (bel) s.t.
10. Guillaume Boivin (can) s.t.

GC after 12th stage
1. Alberto Contador (spa)
2. Alejandro Valverde (spa) + 0.20
3. Rigoberto Uran (col) + 1.08
4. Chris Froome (gbr) + 1.21
5. Joaquim Rodriguez (spa) + 1.35
6. Samuel Sanchez (spa) + 1.52
7. Fabio Aru (ita) + 2.13
8. Winner Anacona (col) + 2.22
9. Robert Gesink (Nld) + 2.55
10. Damiano Caruso (ita) + 3.51
11. Daniel Martin (Irl) + 3.59
12. Daniel Navarro (spa) + 4.26
13. Warren Barguil (fra) +4.56
14. Wilco Kelderman (Nld) + 5.00

Race report
Only 3 kilometres done and Matthias Krizek decides it’s time to go solo. The man from Austria rides to a maximum gain of over 9 minutes and no sprinter’s team has got a problem with it. Piece of cake to reel in such a lone wolf (unless he’s called Tony Martin).

When the time has come FDJ starts the chase, slowly yet deliberately, and with 12 kilometres left Krizek is caught.

Due to a crash in the finale a group of only ten riders is left for the sprint. John Degenkolb takes his chances and powers to the win, whilst Tom Boonen finishes second.