Vuelta 2014: Daniel Navarro strongest in 20% finale

Friday, September 5 - Over the course of 188.7 kilometres to the beautiful Parque de Cabárceno three categorised hills await the riders, whilst the finale is something to start salivating when looking forward to it. Looking back the rider who is salivating goes by the name of Daniel Navarro. The Spaniard attacks at the 20% ascent and bests his chasers Moreno and Kelderman. (Slideshow route/profile)

Vuelta 2014: Results stage 13

1. Daniel Navarro (spa)
2. Daniel Moreno (spa) + 0.02
3. Wilco Kelderman (Nld) s.t.
4. Alejandro Valverde + 0.05
5. Nacer Bouhanni (fra) s.t
6. Damiano Caruso (ita) s.t.
7. Alberto Contador (spa) s.t
8. Robert Gesink (Nld) s.t.
9. Daniel Martin (Irl) s.t.
10. Gianluca Brambilla (ita) s.t.
11, Joaquim Rodriguez (spa) s..t
12. Rigoberto Uran (col) s.t.
13. Chris Froome (gbr) s.t.
14. Samuel Sánchez (spa) s.t.
15. Peio Bilbao (spa) s.t.
16. Fabio Aru (ita) s.t.

22. Winner Anacona (col) +0.22

GC after stage 13
1. Alberto Contador (spa)
2. Alejandro Valverde (spa) + 0.20
3. Rigoberto Uran (col) + 1.08
4. Chris Froome (gbr) + 1.20
5. Joaquim Rodriguez (spa) + 1.35
6. Samuel Sánchez (spa) + 1.52
7. Fabio Aru (ita) + 2.13
8. Winner Anacona (col) + 2.37
9. Robert Gesink (Nld) + 2.55
10. Damiano Caruso (ita) + 3.51
11. Daniel Martin (Irl) + 3.59
12. Daniel Navarro (spa) + 4.11
13. Wilco Kelderman (Nld) + 4.53

Race report
An early break stays away, yet it’s not without any hassle. A group of 14 break free with a few kilometres done and their pace is so high 3 of them are dropped. But despite the speed it’s only after 30 kilometres it look like they’r gone for the day. That’s the moment Europcar gives up the chase and the leaders start edging away from the pack.

Not for long however. Orica GreenEdge moves to the front and the gap balances around 3 minutes. At the bottom of Alto Estacas de Trueba the gap is 2’45” and it’s striking to see exactly the same difference at the top, but then it’s gradually going down. After the climbs up Puerto de la Braguia and Alto del Caracol it’s down to under 2 minutes. Six riders have been dropped, it’s Lutsenko, Cunego, Wyss, Sánchez and Gaudin upfront.

With 10 kilometres left Lutsenko is the last of the Mohicans, but he is swallowed by the bunch as well at 7 kilometres. At the inhumanly steep climb at the parque-entrance Brambilla attacks and Navarro takes over. The Spaniard survives the 20%-grades and powers to the win. Daniel Moreno and Wilco Kelderman are second and third, whilst sprinter Nacer Bouhanni suprises by finishing fifth.