Double Top-10 in aggressive day at La Vuelta

Week two at La Vuelta España started with a bang, with Rui Costa and Davide Formolo infiltrating the elite break of the day to come home in 6th and 10th place respectively.

Costa was the first of UAE Team Emirates to make a move, going clear in a break of 16 riders. This group built an advantage of 1’30’’ before chasers behind made contact, including Formolo and Ivo Oliveira as the trio collaborated in the group to build a gap over the top of the Cat.1 Puerto Orduña.

This large group worked hard to fend off the chasing peloton led by Ineos-Grenadiers who were defending the race lead of Richard Carapaz.

Canadian Michael Woods proved strongest on the day with Costa sprinting home 13’’ behind to claim 6th place.

David De La Cruz remains highest in the GC in 12th place at 2’46’’ from the leader Richard Carapaz, while UAE Team Emirates stand 2nd overall in the teams rankings.

Rui Costa : “We knew today could be a good day for the breakaway so we made a plan that we would get at least one guy in it. It was a big fight to get in the move and the first half hour was full gas. We ended up with 3 which was a good situation. I felt the legs were a bit heavy after the hard finish on stage 6, but we’ll have more opportunities and we’ll keep fighting each day of this race to aim for the win.”

Neil Stephens (Sports Director) : “We knew that it would be a fast and difficult stage after the rest day yesterday and the climb of Orduña. We wanted to make sure that we had the front of the race covered with Formolo and Costa, then we had the added bonus that Ivo Oliveira was also there. The guys fought hard and nearly got back to the leaders but just ran out of road at the finish. Our GC riders had a straightforward day back in the peloton and will be ready for a big important GC day tomorrow.”

Tomorrow stage 8 goes from Logroño to Alto de Moncalvillo(164km) in what will be a decisive GC day.

Stage 7 results
1. Michael Woods (EF Pro Cycling) 3h48’16”
2. Omar Fraile Matarranz (Astana) + 04″
3. Alejandro Valverde (Movistar Team) s.t.
6. Rui Costa (UAE Team Emirates) + 13″

General classification after the 7th stage
1. Richard Carapaz (Ineos-Grenadiers) 28h23’51”
2. Hugh Carthy (EF Pro Cycling) +18″
3. Dan Martin (Israel Start-Up Nation) +20″
12. David De La Cruz (UAE Team Emirates) + 2’46 “