Vuelta 2014: Alessandro De Marchi soloes to victory

Friday, Augustus 29 - In the 169 kilometres between Alhendín and Alcaudete riders are to crest two categorised cols and then the finale is a 6 kilometres climb at 3,3%. With 15 kilometres left De Marchi goes solo and the Italian attacker takes the win. (Slideshow route/profile)

Vuelta 2014: Results 7th stage

1. Alessandro De Marchi (ita)
2. Ryder Hesjedal (can) + 1.35
3. Hubert Dupont (fra) s.t.
4. Johan Tschopp (Swi) s.t.
5. Philippe Gilbert (bel) + 2.17
6. Daniel Martin (Irl) s.t.
7. Chris Froome (gbr) + 2.18
8. Gianluca Brambilla (ita) + 2.20
9. Alejandro Valverde (spa) s.t.
10. Alberto Contador (spa) s.t.

GC after 7th stage
1. Alejandro Valverde (spa)
2. Nairo Quintana (col) + 0.15
3. Alberto Contador (spa) + 0.18
4. Chris Froome (gbr) + 0.20
5. Esteban Chaves (col) + 0.41
6. Joaquim Rodríguez (spa) + 0.45
7. Robert Gesink (Nld) + 0.55
8. Fabio Aru (ita) + 0.58
9. Warren Barguil (Fr) + 1.02
10. Wilco Kelderman (Nld) + 1.06

12. Samuel Sánchez (spa) + 1.11
14. Rigoberto Uran (col) + 1.18
17. Daniel Martin (Irl) + 1.34

Race report
Riders fight hard to get into the break of the day. The pace is high (60kph) and despite a string of attacks nobody manages to get clear until the first climb, Alto de Illora. Ryder Hesjedal, Johann Tschopp, Hubert Dupont and Alessandro De Marchi crest the top with a gain of over one minute.

The gap grows to up to 7 minutes and gradually goes down when approaching the finish line. With 20 kilometres left there is around 4 minutes left.

At 15 kilometres Dupont is dropped and a moment later Hesjedal hits the deck. De Marchi attacks and soloes to victory, whilst Hesjedal comes in second.

Gilbert outsprints Martin in the pack and Froome takes 3 seconds by finishing near Gilbert and in front of a break in the peloton.