Vuelta 2015 stage 14: De Marchi best rider in break and takes uphill victory

In stage 14 the Vuelta a España returns to high altitude in the longest stage. De Marchi initiates the break and at the closing climb to Fuente del Chivo he soloes to victory. Aru retains the red jersey, albeit Rodríguez takes 1 second back. Quintana is the best GC contender. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 14th stage Vuelta

1. Alessandro De Marchi (ita)
2. Salvatore Puccio (ita) + 0.21
3. José Joaquin Rojas (spa) + 0.32
4. Mikael Chérel (fra) + 0.38
5. Carlos Quintero (col) + 1.00
6. Nairo Quintana (col) + 3.32
7. Joaquim Rodriguez (spa) + 3.38
8. Esteban Chaves (col) + 3.39
9. Fabio Aru (ita) s.t.
10. Rafal Majka (pol) + 3.44
11. Domenico Pozzovivo (ita) s.t.
12. Mikel Nieve (spa) + 3.51
13. Alejandro Valverde (spa) + 3.58
14. Daniel Moreno (spa) s.t.
15. Tom Dumoulin (nld) s.t.

GC after stage 14
1. Fabio Aru (ita)
2. Joaquim Rodriguez (spa) + 0.26
3. Tom Dumoulin (nld) + 0.49
4. Esteban Chaves (col) + 1.29
5. Rafal Majka (pol) + 1.33
6. Mikel Nieve (spa) + 2.10
7. Alejandro Valverde (spa) + 2.11
8. Daniel Moreno (spa) + 2.13
9. Nairo Quintana (col) + 3.00
10. Romain Sicard (fra) + 3.39

Race report
Once the flag is dropped attacks are all over the place. But the pace is so high it takes 59 km’s to form the break of the day. One of the most active riders, Alessandro De Marchi, intitiates the break and he is accompanied by Salvatore Puccio, Mikael Chérel and Carlos Quintero, while José Joaquín Rojas bridges the gap.

The five race to a maximum lead of 10 minutes.

At the steeper sections of the closing, with 4 km’s left, Cherel opens with an attack.

More to follow.