Vuelta 2024: Solo victory Pablo Castrillo, OConnor still in red

Vuelta 2024: Solo victory Pablo Castrillo, O’Connor still in red

foto: Cor VosPablo Castrillo attacks from the lead group with 10.2 kilometres to go on the finishing climb. The 23-year-old Spaniard solos to victory, 8 seconds ahead of Max Poole. The GC group finishes 6.29 minutes later, and Ben O'Connor stays in red. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 12th stage 2024 Vuelta

1. Pablo Castrillo (spa)
2. Max Poole (gbr) + 0.08
3. Marc Soler (spa) + 0.16
4. Mauro Schmid (swi) + 0.23
5. Jhonathan Narváez (ecu) + 0.34
6. Mauri Vansevenant (bel) + 0.40
7. Harold Tejada (col) + 0.49
8. Carlos Verona (spa) + 1.03
9. Louis Meintjes (rsa) + 1.14
10. Óscar Rodríguez (spa) + 1.52
– peloton + 6.29

GC after stage 11
1. Ben O’Connor (aus)
2. Primoz Roglic (slo) + 4.16
3. Enric Mas + 3.58
4. Richard Carapaz (ecu) + 4.10
5. Mikel Landa (spa) + 4.40
6. Carlos Rodriguez (spa) + 5.23
7. Florian Lipowitz (ger) + 5.29
8. Adam Yates (gbr) + 5.30
9. Felix Gall (aut) s.t.
10. George Bennett (aus) + 5.46

Race report
In an active opening, there is still no breakaway after 25 kilometres. Then Marc Soler, Óscar Rodríguez, Mauri Vansevenant, Carlos Verona, Mauro Schmid, Louis Meintjes, Max Poole, Harold Tejada, and Pablo Castrillo join forces.

The peloton keeps chasing and seems to make the catch with almost 100 kilometres to go, but Soler doesn’t give in. He pushes on, and the lead group survives. Jhonatan Narváez is wide awake, and he jumps to the leaders just in time. The ten then race to a lead of over 10 minutes.

Carlas Verona launches several attacks in the first kilometres of the finish climb, but he is brought back. Castrillo gives it a go just inside the last 10 kilometres, while Schmid opens the chase.

Narváez and Poole jump away from the chase group with 4.4 kilometres to go, and quickly rejoin Schmid. Soler also bridges across to them.

Castrillo keeps pushing at the front as if there’s no tomorrow. Poole tries to catch him in the last kilometre, but falls short. The 23-year-old Spaniard claims the biggest victory of his career.

In the GC, nothing changes, so Ben O’Connor retains La Roja.

Another interesting read: route 12th stage 2024 Vuelta a España.