Adam Yates Stuns with Stage Nine Win at Vuelta a España

Adam Yates achieved a stunning victory on stage nine of the Vuelta a España, reigniting his bid for the general classification title. Competing on the challenging 178.5km mountain route from Motril to Granada, Yates broke away 58km from the finish in the Sierra Nevada mountains crossing the line 1 minute and 39 seconds ahead of Ecuador’s Richard Carapaz. This win marks Yates’ first stage victory in the Vuelta and his second Grand Tour stage win overall.

Starting the day more than nine minutes behind the leader, Yates climbed to seventh in the overall standings with his remarkable performance. Despite enduring severe cramping and extreme heat, he managed to secure the win, reflecting on his past Grand Tour misfortunes. “I never suffered like this before; it’s so hot out there,” Yates admitted.

His success comes amidst a competitive field with Ben O’Connor retaining the red jersey and slightly extending his lead over Primož Roglič. Carapaz also made significant strides in the general classification, moving up to third overall after attacking from the peloton to catch the breakaway. Meanwhile, O’Connor who finished third on the stage, emphasized his satisfaction with the team’s performance and his own ability to maintain his lead.

The stage also saw UAE Team Emirates’ Joao Almeida abandon the race due to a positive COVID-19 test and Ineos Grenadiers’ Josh Tarling withdraw after a crash. In the general classification, O’Connor leads with a time of 36 hours, 9 minutes and 36 seconds. Roglič follows 3 minutes and 53 seconds behind while Carapaz sits in third, 4 minutes and 32 seconds off the pace. Adam Yates is now in seventh place, 5 minutes and 30 seconds behind the leader.