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Vuelta a Espana recap: Stage-by-stage companion to the race

By Matt Westby

Wednesday 4 March 2020 11:53, UK

The peloton during Stage 9 of the 2015 Vuelta Espana

Nairo Quintana won the 2016 Vuelta a Espana.

The Colombian beat Chris Froome into second place by 1min 23sec and Esteban Chaves into third by 4min 8sec.

Here is how the race panned out...

THE STAGES

Stage 1: Saturday, August 20 – Ourense to Parque Nautico de Castrelo de Mino – 29.4km team time trial

Stage winner: Team Sky. Race leader: Peter Kennaugh (Team Sky).

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Team Sky, Vuelta a Espana, team time trial
Image: Team Sky won stage one's team time trial

Stage 2: Sunday, August 21 – Ourense to Baiona – 159km

Also See:

Stage winner: Gianni Meersman (Etixx - Quick-Step). Race leader: Michal Kwiatkowski (Team Sky).

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Gianni Meersman, Vuelta a Espana, stage one
Image: Gianni Meersman sprinted to victory on stage two

Stage 3: Monday, August 22 – Marin to Dumbria – 170km

Stage winner: Alexandre Geniez (FDJ.fr). Race leader: Ruben Fernandez (Movistar).

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Alexandre Geniez, Vuelta a Espana
Image: Alexandre Geniez won stage three out of the breakaway

Stage 4: Tuesday, August 23 – Betanzos to San Andres de Teixido – 161km

Stage winner: Lilian Calmejane (Direct Energie). Race leader: Darwin Atapuma (BMC Racing).

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Lilian Calmejane celebrates winning as he crosses the finish line during the fourth stage of the 71st edition of the Vuelta a Espana
Image: Lilian Calmejane won stage four solo

Stage 5: Wednesday, August 24 – Viveiro to Lugo – 170km

Stage winner: Gianni Meersman (Etixx - Quick-Step). Race leader: Darwin Atapuma (BMC Racing).

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Gianni Meersman, Vuelta a Espana, stage five
Image: Meersman claimed his second win on stage five

Stage 6: Thursday, August 25 – Monforte de Lemos to Luintra – 163km

Stage winner: Simon Yates (Orica-BikeExchange). Race leader: Darwin Atapuma (BMC Racing).

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Simon Yates, Vuelta a Espana, stage six
Image: Simon Yates escaped to victory on stage six

Stage 7: Friday, August 26 - Maceda to Puebla de Sanabria – 158.3km

Stage winner: Jonas Van Genechten (IAM Cycling). Race leader: Darwin Atapuma (BMC Racing).

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Jonas Van Genechten, Vuelta a Espana, stage seven
Image: Jonas Van Genechten won stage seven

Stage 8: Saturday, August 27 – Villapando to La Camperona – 177km

Stage winner: Sergey Lagutin (Katusha). Race leader: Nairo Quintana (Movistar).

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Sergey Lagutin celebrates winning as he crosses the finish line during the 8th stage of the 71st edition of the Vuelta a Espana
Image: Breakaway rider Sergey Lagutin won stage eight with a late attack

Stage 9: Sunday, August 28 – Cistierna to Alto del Naranco – 165km

Stage winner: David de la Cruz (Etixx - Quick-Step). Race leader: David de la Cruz (Etixx - Quick-Step).

Report

David de la Cruz, Dries Devenyns, Vuelta a Espana
Image: David de la Cruz (left) climbed to victory on stage nine

Stage 10: Monday, August 29 – Lugones to Lagos de Covadonga – 186.6km

Stage winner: Nairo Quintana (Movistar). Race leader: Nairo Quintana (Movistar).

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Nairo Quintana, Vuelta a Espana, stage 10
Image: Nairo Quintana took the race lead by winning stage 10

Stage 11: Wednesday, August 31 – Colunga to Pena Cabarga – 168.8km

Stage winner: Chris Froome (Team Sky). Race leader: Nairo Quintana (Movistar).

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Chris Froome, Nairo Quintana, Vuelta a Espana, stage 11
Image: Chris Froome climbed to victory on stage 11

Stage 12: Thursday, September 1 – Los Corrales de Buelna to Bilbao – 193.2km

Stage winner: Jens Keukeleire (Orica-BikeExchange). Race leader: Nairo Quintana (Movistar).

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Jens Keukeleire, Vuelta a Espana, stage 12
Image: Jens Keukeleire sprinted to victory on stage 12

Stage 13: Friday, September 2 – Bilbao to Urdax-Dantxarinea – 212.8km

Stage winner: Valerio Conti (Lampre-Merida). Race leader: Nairo Quintana (Movistar).

Report

Valerio Conti, Vuelta a Espana, stage 13
Image: Valerio Conti won stage 13 out of the breakaway

Stage 14: Saturday, September 3 – Urdax-Dantxarinea to Col d’Aubisque – 196km

Stage winner: Robert Gesink (LottoNL-Jumbo). Race leader: Nairo Quintana (Movistar).

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Robert Gesink, Vuelta a Espana, stage 14
Image: Robert Gesink won stage 14

Stage 15: Sunday, September 4 – Sabinanigo to Aramon Formigal – 118.5km

Stage winner: Gianluca Brambilla (Etixx - Quick-Step). Race leader: Nairo Quintana (Movistar).

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Gianluca Brambilla, Vuelta a Espana, stage 15
Image: Gianluca Brambilla climbed to victory on stage 15

Stage 16: Monday, September 5 – Alcaniz to Peniscola – 156.4km

Stage winner: Jean-Pierre Drucker (BMC Racing). Race leader: Nairo Quintana (Movistar).

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Jean-Pierre Drucker (3rd L) celebrates winning as he crosses the finish line during the 16th stage of the Vuelta a Espana
Image: Jean-Pierre Drucker triumphed on stage 16

Stage 17: Wednesday, September 7 – Castellon to Camins del Penyagolosa – 177.5km

Stage winner: Mathias Frank (IAM Cycling). Race leader: Nairo Quintana (Movistar).

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Mathias Frank, Vuelta a Espana, stage 17
Image: Breakaway rider Mathias Frank won stage 17

Stage 18: Thursday, September 8 – Requena to Gandia – 200.6km

Stage winner: Magnus Cort Nielsen (Orica-BikeExchange). Race leader: Nairo Quintana (Movistar).

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Magnus Cort Nielsen wins stage 18 of the 2016 Vuelta a Espana
Image: Magnus Cort Nielsen won stage 18 in a sprint

Stage 19: Friday, September 9 – Xabia to Calp – 37km individual time trial

Stage winner: Chris Froome (Team Sky). Race leader: Nairo Quintana (Movistar).

Report

Chris Froome, Vuelta a Espana, stage 19
Image: Froome produced a dominant win on stage 19

Stage 20: Saturday, September 10 – Benidorm to Alto de Aitana – 193.2km

Stage winner: Pierre Latour (Ag2r-La Mondiale). Race leader: Nairo Quintana (Movistar).

Report

AG2R La Mondiale's French cyclist Pierre Latour celebrates winning as he crosses the finish line during the 20th stage of the 71st edition of "La Vuelta" T
Image: Pierre Latour won stage 20 out of the breakaway

Stage 21: Sunday, September 11 – Las Rozas to Madrid – 104.8km

Stage winner: Magnus Cort Nielsen (Orica-BikeExchange). Race winner: Nairo Quintana (Movistar).

Report

Magnus Cort Nielsen, Vuelta a Espana, stage 21
Image: Nielsen won the final stage in Madrid

KEY STAGES

- Stage 8: The climb to the finish at La Camperona is savage and will give the general classification a major shake-up.

- Stage 14: A massive day in the Pyrenees that could create big gaps between the overall contenders.

- Stage 19: The long and flat time trial could have a decisive say on the overall outcome.

TIME BONUSES

- 10, six and four seconds will be awarded to the top three on stages (except the time trials on stages one and 19).
- Three, two and one second will be awarded to the top three at intermediate sprints.

Simon Yates on stage six of the 2016 Paris-Nice
Image: Simon Yates will look to replicate brother Adam's success at the Tour de France

BRIT WATCH

- Hugh Carthy (Caja Rural-Seguros RGA).
- Chris Froome (Team Sky).
- Peter Kennaugh (Team Sky).
- Scott Thwaites (Bora-Argon 18).
- Simon Yates (Orica-BikeExchange).

THE JERSEYS

- Red: General classification.
- Green: Points classification.
- Blue and white polka dots: Mountains classification.
- White: Best all-round rider.

Joaquim Rodriguez, Fabio Aru, Rafal Majka, Vuelta a Espana 2015, stage 21
Image: From left, Joaquim Rodriguez, Fabio Aru and Rafal Majka on last year's final podium

PREVIOUS WINNERS

- 2015: Fabio Aru (Ita).
- 2014: Alberto Contador (Esp).
- 2013: Chris Horner (USA).
- 2012: Alberto Contador (Esp).
- 2011: Juan Jose Cobo (Esp).
- 2010: Vincenzo Nibali (Ita).
- 2009: Alejandro Valverde (Esp).
- 2008: Alberto Contador (Esp).
- 2007: Denis Menchov (Rus).
- 2006: Alexandre Vinokourov (Kaz).

THE TEAMS

AG2R-LA MONDIALE

Country: France. Status: WorldTour
Team: Gediminas Bagdnoas, Jan Bakelants, Francois Bidard, Axel Domont, Quentin Juaregui, Pierre Latour, Sebastien Minard, Jean-Christophe Peraud, Christophe Riblon.

ASTANA

Country: Kazakhstan. Status: WorldTour
Team: Miguel Angel Lopez, Dario Cataldo, Dmitriy Gruzdev, Davide Malacarne, Luis Leon Sanchez, Michele Sacrponi, Gatis Smukulis, Alessandro Vanotti, Andrey Zeits.

BMC RACING

Country: United States. Status: WorldTour
Team: Tejay van Garderen, Darwin Atapuma, Jean-Pierre Drucker, Philippe Gilbert, Ben Hermans, Samuel Sanchez, Dylan Teuns, Danilo Wyss, Silvan Dillier.

BORA-ARGON 18

Country: Germany. Status: Pro Continental
Team: Scott Thwaites, Jose Mendes, Cesare Benedetti, Bartosz Huzarski, Silvio Herklotz, Christoph Pfingsten, Gregor Muhlberger, Michael Schwarzmann, Rudiger Selig.

CAJA RURAL-SEGUROS RGA

Country: Spain. Status: Pro Continental
Team: David Arroyo, Hugh Carthy, Pello Bilbao, Jose Goncalves, Angel Madrazo, Lluis Mas, Sergio Pardilla, Eduard Prades, Jaime Roson.

CANNONDALE-DRAPAC

Country: United States. Status: WorldTour
Team: Andrew Talansky, Patrick Bevin, Simon Clarke, Joe Dombrowski, Davide Formolo, Ben King, Moreno Moser, Pierre Rolland, Davide Villella.

COFIDIS

Country: France. Status: Pro Continental
Team: Yoann Bagot, Loic Chetout, Jerome Cousin, Romain Hardy, Luis Angel Mate, Rudy Molard, Stephane Rossetto, Florian Senechal, Kenneth Vanbilsen.

DIMENSION DATA

Country: South Africa. Status: WorldTour
Team: Igor Anton, Kristian Sbaragli, Merhawi Kudus, Jaco Venter, Omar Fraile, Jacques Janse van Rensburg, Tyler Farrar, Nick Dougall, Nathan Haas.

DIRECT ENERGIE
Country: France. Status: Pro Continental
Team: Romain Sicard, Fabrice Jeandesboz, Perrig Quemeneur, Romain Cardis, Lilian Calmejane, Julien Morice, Ryan Anderson, Tony Hurel, Bryan Nauleau.

ETIXX – QUICK-STEP

Country: Belgium. Status: WorldTour
Team: Gianni Meersman, David de la Cruz, Pieter Serry, Zdenek Stybar, Niki Terpstra, Maxime Bouet, Gianluca Brambilla, Yves Lampaert, Martin Velits.

FDJ.FR

Country: France. Status: WorldTour
Team: Kenny Elissonde, Alexandre Geniez, Matthieu Ladagnous, Johan Le Bon, Lorenzo Manzin, Laurent Pichon, Kevin Reza, Odd Christian Eiking.

GIANT-ALPECIN

Country: Germany. Status: WorldTour
Team: Warren Barguil, Nikias Arndt, Koen de Kort, Johannes Frohlinger, Chad Haga, Tobias Ludvigsson, Sindre Skjostad Lunke, Tom Stamsnijder, Zico Waeytens.

IAM CYCLING

Country: Switzerland. Status: WorldTour
Team: Dries Devenyns, Clement Chevrier, Mathias Frank, Simon Pellaud, Vicente Reynes, Vegard Stake Laengen, Jonas Van Genechten, Larry Warbasse, Marcel Wyss.

KATUSHA

Country: Russia. Status: WorldTour
Team: Tiago Machado, Sven Erik Bystrom, Alberto Losada, Jhonatan Restrepo, Egor Silin, Sergey Lagutin, Matvey Mamykin, Rein Taaramae, Pavel Kochetkov.

LAMPRE-MERIDA

Country: Italy. Status: WorldTour
Team: Louis Meintjes, Yukiya Arashiro, Mattia Cattaneo, Valerio Conti, Mario Costa, Kristijan Durasek, Tsgabu Grmay, Ilia Koshevoy, Federico Zurlo.

LOTTONL-JUMBO

Country: Netherlands. Status: WorldTour
Team: Steven Kruijswijk, Robert Gesink, Enrico Battaglin, Martijn Keizer, Bram Tankink, Koen Bouwman, George Bennett, Victor Campanaerts, Jos van Emden.

LOTTO SOUDAL

Country: Belgium. Status: WorldTour
Team: Thomas de Gendt, Sander Armee, Bart De Clerq, Gert Dockx, Adam Hansen, Maxime Monfort, Tosh Van Der Sande, Louis Vervaeke, Jelle Wallays.

MOVISTAR

Country: Spain. Status: WorldTour
Team: Nairo Quintana, Alejandro Valverde, Ruben Fernandez, Daniel Moreno, Imanol Erviti, Jose Herrada, Jonathan Castroviejo, Jose Joaquin Rojas, Rory Sutherland.

ORICA-BIKEEXCHANGE

Country: Australia. Status: WorldTour
Team: Esteban Chaves, Simon Yates, Simon Gerrans, Sam Bewley, Magnus Cort Nielsen, Jack Haig, Damien Howson, Jens Keukeleire, Svein Tuft.

TEAM SKY

Country: Great Britain. Status: WorldTour
Team: Chris Froome, Peter Kennaugh, Michal Kwiatkowski, Michal Golas, David Lopez, Salvatore Puccio, Leopold Konig, Ian Boswell, Christian Knees.

TINKOFF

Country: Russia. Status: WorldTour
Team: Alberto Contador, Jesus Hernandez, Robert Kiserlovski, Yuri Trofimov, Sergio Paulinho, Ivan Rovny, Daniele Bennati, Manuele Boaro, Michael Gogl.

TREK-SEGAFREDO

Country: United States. Status: WorldTour
Team: Haimar Zubledia, Julien Bernard, Fabio Felline, Markel Irizar, Laurent Didier, Fumiyuki Beppu, Niccolo Bonifazio, Kiel Reijnen, Riccardo Zoidl.

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