Team Sky’s Chris Froome closes another victory on Vuelta a Espana as he is now closer than ever to win the big title of this season’s Tour of Spain. And if that happens, he will be the third man to have ever won two grand tours, The Tour and Vuelta, in one season.
A great ride by @chrisfroome sees him come home fifth on a brutally tough 15th stage. He should extend his #LV2017?? lead slightly pic.twitter.com/GTV2lAdYZc
— Team Sky ? (@TeamSky) September 3, 2017
Stage 15 didn’t only see Froome increasing his overall advantage over Vincenzo Nibali by 61 seconds, it also saw Team Sky’s rider to come fifth after a triple whammy of climbs that made him finish 47 seconds behind stage winner, Colombian Miguel Angel Lopez.
Eventually, Nibali took the seventh place as Russian Ilur Zakarin finished second, 36 seconds behind Lopez.
Today is the second rest day of the tour while tomorrow we will witness another individual time trial as Froome will once again try to stroke another victory and become the first rider in 39 years to win two grand tours in one season.
Nibali’s strategy
As Alberto Contador, Lopez and Barded created a strong group ahead of Froome’s segment, Nibali saw a great moment to attack and surpass the Tour de France champion.
When Italian rider who did not compete in this year’s Tour de France, made the move, he was 13 km to go. He was able to open up a 20-second gap between his and Froome but unfortunately, couldn’t make the advantage last being soon caught while weakening his chances of grabbing the leader’s red jersey.
“It’s an amazing feeling to finish off today and still to be the leader of three competitions – the red, the white and the green jersey as well – and to have survived a stage like today,” Froome said in a statement for Team Sky’s website.
“I can’t thank my team-mates enough. They were incredible.
“If anyone had said to me this would be the situation going into the second rest day I would have definitely taken that. I’m really happy with it and looking forward to the time trial.”
Stage 15 result
1. Miguel Angel Lopez (Col/Astana) 3hrs 34mins 51secs
2. Ilnur Zakarin (Rus/Katusha-Alpecin) +36secs
3. Wilco Kelderman (Ned/Team Sunweb) +45secs
4. Esteban Chaves (Col/Orica-Scott) +47secs
5. Chris Froome (Britain / Team Sky) same time
6. Michael Woods (Can/Cannondale-Drapac) +50secs
7. Vincenzo Nibali (Ita/Bahrain-Merida) +53secs
8. Wout Poels (Ned/Team Sky) same time
9. Louis Meintjes (SA/UAE Team Emirates) same time
10. Pello Bilbao (Spa/Astana) +1min 02secs
Overall standings so far
1. Chris Froome (GB/Team Sky) 53hrs 48mins 06secs
2. Vincenzo Nibali (Ita/Bahrain-Merida) +1min 01secs
3. Ilnur Zakarin (Rus/Katusha-Alpecin) +2mins 08secs
4. Wilco Kelderman (Ned/Team Sunweb) +2mins 11secs
5. Esteban Chaves (Col/Orica-Scott) +2mins 39secs
6. Miguel Angel Lopez (Col/Astana Pro Team) +2mins 51secs
7. Fabio Aru (Ita/Astana Pro Team) +3mins 24secs
8. Michael Woods (Can/Cannondale-Drapac) +3mins 26secs
9. Alberto Contador (Spa/Trek-Segafredo) +3mins 59secs
10. Wout Poels (Ned/Team Sky) +5mins 22 secs
