Vuelta 2018 Stage 8: Valverde wins uphill sprint, Molard retains in red

Stage 8 in the Vuelta a España travels from Linares to Almadén. The final 6 kilometres feature two sloping sectors and the riders face a 7% kick up just before the line. Alejandro Valverde outguns Peter Sagan and Danny van Poppel, while Rudy Molard retains the leader in La Vuelta. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 8th stage 2018 Vuelta a España

1. Alejandro Valverde (spa)
2. Peter Sagan (svk) s.t.
3. Danny van Poppel (nld) s.t.
4. Ion Izagirre (spa) s.t.
5. Giacomo Nizzolo (ita) s.t.
6. Jésus Herrada (spa) s.t.
7. Simon Yates (gbr) s.t.
8. Bjorg Lambrecht (bel) s.t.
9. Ivan Garcia (spa) s.t.
10. Steven Kruijswijk (nld) s.t.

GC after the 8th stage
1. Rudy Molard (fra)
2. Alejandro Valverde (spa) + 0.37
3. Emanuel Buchmann (ger) + 0.48
4. Simon Yates (gbr) + 0.51
5. Tony Gallopin (fra) + 0.59
6. Michal Kwiatkowski (pol) + 1.06
7. Ion Izagirre (spa) + 1.11
8. Nairo Quintana (col) + 1.14
9. Steven Kruijswijk (nld) + 1.18
10. Enric Mas (spa) + 1.23

11. George Bennett (nzl) + 1.26
12. Miguel Ángel López (col) + 1.27
13. Fabio Aru (ita) + 1.28
14. Rigoberto Uran (col) + 1.29
15. David de la Cruz (spa) + 1.34
17. Wilco Kelderman (nld) + 2.50
18. Thibaut Pinot (fra) + 3.08
21. Rafal Majka (pol) + 4.28
25. Louis Meintjes (rsa) + 5.35

Race report
Tiago Machado, Jorge Cubero and Héctor Sáez attack straight from the gun. The three race to a lead of more than 12 minutes before the peloton takes them on a leash.

Most sprint teams take turns at the front to bring the gap down and with 6 kms to go the break is caught.

LottoNL-Jumbo dominates the finale, but in sight of the line the race boils to Alejandro Valverde and Peter Sagan. The Spaniard pips the World Champion to claim his second stage win of this Vuelta. Danny van Poppel crosses the line in third.

Rudy Molard retains the red jersey.

The 9th stage brings a tough day in the high mountains with a final haul up of 7.9 kilometer at 8.5% to ski resort La Covatilla.

Read also: route 8th stage 2018 Vuelta a España.