Vuelta 2019: Jesús Herrada wins in Ares del Maestrat, Dylan Teuns new leader

The sixth day of action boils down to a clash of attackers. Jesús Herrada wins uphill in Ares del Maestrat, while Dylan Teuns moves into the race lead. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 6th stage Vuelta a España 2019

1. Jesús Herrada (spa)
2. Dylan Teuns (bel) + 0.07
3. Dorian Godon (fra) + 0.21
4. Robert Gesink (nld) s.t.
5. Bruno Armirail (fra) + 0.37
6. Pawel Poljanski (pol) + 0.39
7. Nelson Oliveira (por) + 0.45
8. Gianluca Brambilla (ita) + 0.47
9. David de la Cruz (spa) + 0.50
10. Tsgabu Grmay (eti) + 2.35

11. Tadej Pogacar (slo) + 5.42
12. Pierre Latour (fra) + 5.44
13. Nairo Quintana (col) s.t.
14. Miguel Ángel López (col) s.t.
15. Alejandro Valverde (spa) s.t.
16. Primoz Roglic (slo) s.t.
17. Rafal Majka (pol) s.t.
18. Esteban Chaves (col) s.t.
19. Wilco Kelderman (nld) s.t.
20. George Bennett (nzl) s.t.
22. Fabio Aru (ita) s.t.
23. Daniel Félipe Martínez (col) s.t.
25. Sergio Higuita (col) + 5.50
28. Mikel Nieve (spa) + s.t.
136. Davide Formolo (ita) + 18.08

GC after stage 6
1. Dylan Teuns (bel)
2. David de la Cruz (spa) + 0.38
3. Miguel Ángel López (col) + 1.00
4. Primoz Roglic (slo) + 1.14
5. Nairo Quintana (col) + 1.23
6. Robert Gesink (nld) s.t.
7. Alejandro Valverde (spa) + 1.28
8. Esteban Chaves (col) + 2.17
9. Rafal Majka (pol) + 2.18
10. Tadej Pogacar (slo) + 2.47

11. Wilco Kelderman (nld) + 2.50
12. Pierre Latour (fra) + 2.54
13. Mikel Nieve (spa) + 3.26
14. George Bennett (nzl) + 3.29
15. Sergio Higuita (col) + 3.46
16. Fabio Aru (ita) + 3.47
19. Daniel Félipe Martínez (col) + 4.49
46. Davide Formolo (ita) + 15.22

Race report
Following a hectic start, Wout Poels goes alone on the Nogueruelas climb. The Dutchman enters the downhill 17 seconds ahead of the first chasers, Stéphane Rossetto and Lawson Craddock. The three come together in the descent, although Rossetto drops back before the next climb, Puerto de Linares. Poels’ pace is too much for Craddock also. He reaches the crest ahead of Jesús Herrada and Sergio Henao before he is reeled in at kilometre 41.

Eleven riders open up a new gap. Robert Gesink, David de la Cruz, Gianluca Brambilla, Jesús Herrada, Dylan Teuns, Pawel Poljanski, Dorian Godon, Tejay van Garderen, Bruno Armirail, Nelson Oliveira and Tsgabu Grmay race to a lead of 2 minutes before a huge crash in the main group takes down Rigoberto Uran, Hugh Carthy, Nicolas Roche and Victor de la Parte. All four can’t continue and are forced to pull out of La Vuelta.

The eleven widen the gap to more than 4 minutes when they tackle the Puerto de Culla. Grmay goes solo and he is the first rider over the summit. Van Garderen goes down in the descent.

Oliveira bridges across to Grmay and the two tackle the finishing climb 30 seconds ahead of the chasers. The peloton is more than 6 minutes in arrears.

Teuns and Herrada close the gap inside the last 4 kilometres. They push on together and while the Flemish rider does most of the work in his fight for the red jersey, Herrada attacks in the last 400 metres to grab the stage win.

Teuns is the new leader on GC, 38 seconds ahead of De la Cruz with López 22 seconds further behind.

Another interesting read: route 5th stage 2019 Vuelta.