John Degenkolb makes it four on Vuelta a Espana stage 17
German sprinter John Degenkolb takes bunch sprint; Alberto Contador remains in overall lead
John Degenkolb (Giant-Shimano) took his fourth stage win of the 2014 Vuelta a Espana on Wednesday, winning the bunch sprint.
Points classification leader Degenkolb opened up his sprint late on stage 17 to out-pace his rivals, with Michael Matthews (Orica-GreenEdge) coming in for second and Fabian Cancellara (Trek Factory Racing) in third, showing he's in good shape ahead of the World Championships at the end of the month.
Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo) finished safely in the bunch to retain the overall race lead on a day when there was no change to the top 10. Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) is in second place at one minute and 36 seconds, with Chris Froome (Sky) in third at one minute and 39 seconds.
After a frantic start to the only remaining truly flat stage of the Vuelta, a five-man escape group formed comprising Rohan Dennis (BMC Racing), Elia Favilli (Lampre-Merida), Bob Jungels (Trek Factory Racing), Lluis Mas Bonet (Caja Rural) and Daniel Teklehaimanot (MTN-Qhubeka).
The five worked well together, but were kept tightly under surveillance by Degenkolb's Giant-Shimano team. Despite being kept on a short leash, Favilli and Dennis managed to evade the peloton's clutches into the final kilometre but were inevitably swept up as the bunch accelerated to the line.
Omega Pharma-QuickStep leader Rigoberto Uran was a non-starter after suffering from bronchitis. "We were hoping that the rest day could help, but in the last 24 hours the situation has become even worse. You can't race in these conditions. I'm really disappointed but this really is the wisest decision," Uran said via a team statement.
Trek's Haimar Zubeldia and Sky's Christian Knees also did not start the stage.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Thursday's stage 18 finishes with a sharp ascent to the line and will be another day for the overall contenders to try and put time into their rivals ahead of Sunday's final time trial.
Results
Vuelta a Espana 2014, stage 17: Ortigueira to A Coruña, 190.7km
1. John Degenkolb (Ger) Giant-Shimano in 4-26-07
2. Michael Matthews (Aus) Orica-GreenEdge
3. Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Trek Factory Racing
4. Jasper Stuyven (Bel) Trek Factory Racing
5. Roberto Ferrari (Ita) Lampre-Merida
6. Koldo Fernandez (Spa) Garmin-Sharp
7. Geoffrey Soupe (Fra) FDJ
8. Danilo Wyss (Swi) BMC Racing
9. Damiano Caruso (Ita) Cannondale
10. Vicente Reynes (Spa) IAM Cycling at same time
Overall classification after stage 17
1. Alberto Contador (Spa) Tinkoff-Saxo in 63-25-00
2. Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Movistar at 1-36
3. Chris Froome (GBr) Team Sky at 1-39
4. Joaquim Rodriguez (Spa) Katusha at 2-29
5. Fabio Aru (Ita) Astana at 3-38
6. Dan Martin (Ire) Garmin-Sharp at 6-17
7. Robert Gesink (Ned) Belkin at 6-43
8. Samuel Sanchez (Spa) BMC Racing at 6-55
9. Warren Barguil (Fra) Giant-Shimano at 8-37
10. Damiano Caruso (Ita) Cannondale at 9-10
Punch-ups at the Vuelta a Espana: The one you didn't see
"Rodriguez turned towards me and punched me full in the face" says Sky's Philip Deignan
Chris Froome set for Vuelta a Espana podium place
Chris Froome and Team Sky happy with performance in Vuelta a Espana so far, which sees Froome sit in second
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Nigel Wynn worked as associate editor on CyclingWeekly.com, he worked almost single-handedly on the Cycling Weekly website in its early days. His passion for cycling, his writing and his creativity, as well as his hard work and dedication, were the original driving force behind the website’s success. Without him, CyclingWeekly.com would certainly not exist on the size and scale that it enjoys today. Nigel sadly passed away, following a brave battle with a cancer-related illness, in 2018. He was a highly valued colleague, and more importantly, an exceptional person to work with - his presence is sorely missed.
-
‘There's no point to race for 50th place’: Peter Sagan explains why he’s a cycling esports ambassador but won’t compete
As a MyWhoosh ambassador, Sagan admires the sport’s evolution, but does he have the watts to compete with today’s virtual cycling stars?
By Christopher Schwenker Published
-
Rapha's loss, your gain: prices slashed sitewide amid profitability concerns
The British clothing brand unveils an almost unheard-of 25% discount across its entire product range
By Hannah Bussey Published
-
'It's not worth risking his long term health': DSM-Firmenich withdraw concussed Romain Bardet from Tour de France
DSM-Firmenich enact their concussion protocol to withdraw the Frenchman from the race
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
'This is insane': Alberto Dainese comes back from illness to triumph in photo finish on Giro d'Italia stage 17 sprint
DSM rider finished last on Sunday's stage with a stomach bug, but bounced back to take win in his home region
By Adam Becket Published
-
‘It’s been nice rubbing shoulders with the big boys’ - Great Britain’s Max Poole shines at Tour of the Alps
20-year-old won the best young rider classification at five day stage race in Austria and north east Italy
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Jumbo-Visma set to use adjustable tyre pressure systems at Paris-Roubaix
The Dutch team and DSM will both utilise different systems on the cobblestones of the ‘Hell of the North’
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Pfeiffer Georgi relishes new leadership role at Team DSM
'I feel like I’m able to be more in the race,' says the in-form Brit
By Tom Davidson Published
-
‘It was perfect being boxed in’ - Charlotte Kool doubles up on final day of UAE Tour
The Dutchwoman proved the fastest, while Elisa Longo Borghini toasts overall victory with ice cream
By Tom Davidson Published
-
‘I’m excited to be in the game myself again’ - Charlotte Kool stuns world's best at UAE Tour
The Team DSM rider sprinted into the spotlight with victory on stage one
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Meet Sean Flynn, the Edinburgh-born mountain biker moving to the WorldTour with DSM
The 22-year-old has stepped up to elite level after two years with development teams, and is looking to push on
By Adam Becket Published