Vuelta 2019: Gilbert brings breakaway home in Bilbao, Roglic stays leader

Philippe Gilbert is the best attacker in the breakaway. The Walloon strikes on the 2.2 kilometres climb at 12.2% in the finale before he holds off the chasers in the descent into Bilbao. Primoz Roglic stays in the GC lead. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 12th stage Vuelta a España 2019

1. Philippe Gilbert (bel)
2. Álex Aranburu (spa) + 0.03
3. Fernando Barceló (spa) s.t.
4. José Joaquín Rojas (spa) + 0.22
5. Nikias Arndt (ger) + 0.26
6. Tosh Van der Sande (bel) + 0.29
7. Cyril Barthe (fra) s.t.
8. Manuele Boaro (ita) s.t.
9. Tim Declercq (bel) s.t.
10. Valerio Conti (ita) + 0.31

GC after stage 12
1. Primoz Roglic (slo)
2. Alejandro Valverde (spa) + 1.52
3. Miguel Ángel López (col) + 2.11
4. Nairo Quintana (col) + 3.00
5. Tadej Pogacar (slo) + + 3.05
6. Carl Fredrik Hagen (nor) + 4.59
7. Rafal Majka (pol) + 5.42
8. Nicolas Edet (fra) + 5.49
9. Dylan Teuns (bel) + 6.07
10. Wilco Kelderman (nld) + 6.25

Race report
Despite a lot of movement, it takes more than 100 kilometres for the breakaway to take shape. Willie Smit opens up a gap and eighteen riders bridge across. They race to a maximum lead of more than 5 minutes.

The gap falls below 5 minutes on the Alto de Urruztimendi before Großschartner heads out alone on the Alto el Vivero. Grmay rejoins the Austrian in the last kilometre before the top. The duo reaches the crest 40 seconds ahead of the chasers, while the GC group is 4 minutes behind.

The chasers take back the attackers at the foot of the steep Alto de Arraiz. Gilbert opens with Aranburu on his wheel. The former World Champion drops the Basque 1.5 kilometres before the top. Aranburu and Barceló crest 24 seconds later.

The chasers comes closer in the descent and they reach Bilbao after the Wallonian. But Gilbert doesn’t falter and he seals the victory, while Aranburu wins the sprint for the second place.

The GC riders cross the line together, so Roglic stays in the overall race lead.

Another interesting read: route 12th stage 2019 Vuelta.