Chris Horner leads Vuelta a Espana after stage 19

Spaniard Joaquim Rodriguez has won stage 19 of the Vuelta a Espana where 41-year-old American Chris Horner has again assumed the overall lead.

Rodriguez (Katusha) launched a solo attack within the final kilometre of the uphill category two finish but did not celebrate with an elaborate victory salute instead sprinting across the line having started the day fourth overall.

Diego Ulissi (Lampre-Merida) finished 11 seconds off the pace for second with Rodriguez's teammate Daniel Moreno third. Horner was 14 seconds in arrears of the day's winner but placed ahead of overnight race leader Vincenzo Nibali (Astana), who was a further six seconds back.

Horner (RadioShack Leopard) has a narrow three-second advantage over the Giro d'Italia champion Nibali with one mountain stage remaining before the race concludes on Sunday.

Results
Vuelta a Espana 2013, stage 19: San Vicente de la Barquera to Alto Naranco, 181km

1. Joaquim Rodriguez (Spa) Katusha in 4-16-13

2. Diego Ulissi (Ita) Lampre-Merida at 11 secs

3. Daniel Moreno (Ita) Katusha at same time

4. Samuel Sanchez (Spa) Euskaltel Euskadi at same time

5. Chris Horner (USA) RadioShack Leopard at 14 secs

6. Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Movistar at same time

7. Michele Scarponi (Ita) Lampre-Merida at 16 secs

8. Leopold Konig (Cze) NetApp Endura at 20 secs

9. Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Astana at same time

10. Nicolas Roche (Irl) Saxo-Tinkoff at 23 secs

Overall classification after stage 19

1. Chris Horner (USA) RaidoShack Leopard in 77-56-05

2. Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Astana at 3 secs

3. Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Movistar at 1-06

4. Joaquim Rodriguez (Spa) Katusha at 1-57

5. Nicolas Roche (Ire) Saxo-Tinkoff at 3-49

6. Domenico Pozzovivo (Ita) AG2R La Mondiale at 6-00

7. Leopold Konig (Cze) NetApp Endura at 6-38

8. Thibaut Pinot (Fra) FDJ  at 7-02

9. Samuel Sanchez (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi at 7-45

10. Daniel Moreno (Spa) Katusha at 11-05

Joaquim Rodriguez launches his stage-winning attack

Joaquim Rodriguez celebrates the stage win

Chris Horner back in the race lead

Related links

Vuelta a Espana 2013: Coverage index

Vuelta a Espana 2013: Coverage index