Vuelta 2019: Quintana wins in Calpe, Roche takes red jersey

The 2nd stage of La Vuelta is a demanding race with almost 3,000 vertical metres. The race is decided in the descent of the Alto de Puig Llorença with 20 kilometres to go. Quintana strikes with Uran, Nieve, Roglic, Roche and Aru before he wins the race with a late attack. Roche is the new GC leader, 2 seconds ahead of the stage winner. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 2nd stage Vuelta a España 2019

1. Nairo Quintana (col)
2. Nicolas Roche (irl) + 0.05
3. Primoz Roglic (slo) s.t.
4. Rigoberto Uran (col) s.t.
5. Fabio Aru (ita) s.t.
6. Mikel Nieve (spa) + 0.08
7. Sergio Higuita (col) + 0.37
8. Tadej Pogacar (slo) s.t.
9. Álex Aranburu (spa) s.t.
10. Alejandro Valverde (spa) s.t.

GC after stage 2
1. Nicolas Roche (irl)
2. Nairo Quintana (col) + 0.02
3. Rigoberto Uran (col) + 0.08
4. Mikel Nieve (spa) + 0.22
5. Miguel Ángel López (col) + 0.33
6. Primoz Roglic (slo) + 0.36
7. Wilco Kelderman (nld) + 0.38
8. Sergio Higuita (col) + 0.40
9. Davide Formolo (ita) + 0.46
10. Rafal Majka (pol) s.t.

12. Alejandro Valverde (spa) + 0.49
14. Fabio Aru (ita) + 1.08
16. Pierre Latour (fra) + 1.10
17. George Bennett (nzl) + 1.13
23. Tadej Pogacar (slo) + 1.40
26. Tejay van Garderen (usa) + 1.46
27. Daniel Félipe Martínez (col) s.t.
28. Hugh Carthy (gbr) s.t.
37. Dylan Teuns (bel) + 2.05
44. Louis Meintjes (rsa) + 2.13
51. Steven Kruijswijk (nld) + 2.19
109. Wout Poels (nld) + 10.12

Race report
Mickaël Delage, Angel Madrazo, Gonzalo Serrano and Fernando Barcelo open up a gap at kilometre 4, while José Herrada tracks them down. But it is in vain, as the bunch regroups at kilometre 13.

Madrazo attacks again, this time with Sander Armée. The duo tackles the Puerto de Confrides with a lead of 1 minute and they add 5 minutes to it at the top, where Madrazo takes most KOM points.

Jonathan Lastra and Willle Smith chase the leaders down just before the Alto de Benilloba. Again, Madrazo is the first riders over the summit.

The riders cross the line for the first time with 43 kilometres to go and moments later Armée goes solo. His effort lasts 12 kilometres before the peloton takes him back.

Pierre Latour and Davide Formolo head out on the Alto de Puig Llorença, while George Bennett is the first rider to bridge across. Others regain contact also, but Kruijswijk can’t follow.

Valverde reaches the crest ahead of Latour and Bennett, while Quintana, Uran, Nieve, Roglic, Roche and Aru open up a gap in the descent. The chasing group, with all other GC-favourites with the exception of Kruijswijk and Poels, are 40 seconds in arrears.

Quintana strikes inside the last 3 kilometres. Perfect timing, as nobody goes with him and he solos to the win. Roche wins the group sprint ahead of Roglic and moves into the GC lead.

Another interesting read: route 2nd stage 2019 Vuelta.