17:29 – Van Aert wins!
Belgian Wout Van Aert wins and takes his third victory in this Vuelta 2024 ahead of Quentin Pacher, who had no chance in the sprint. The wearer of the green jersey increases his lead in the points classification.
17:12 – The gap is increasing
Van Aert and Pacher make the descent and increase their lead over the chasing duo Soler – Lecerf. They have more than a minute’s margin
17:03 – Pacher and Van Aert alone in the lead
The Frenchman and the Belgian isolated themselves on the last climb of the day and have a lead of around thirty seconds over their breakaway companions with just under 25 km to go.
16:41 – The breakaway takes off
The peloton has finally recovered and the five leaders could fight for victory in the streets of Baiona. They have a 5’50 lead.
15:22 – The pace does not slow down
The rest day and the (relative) Galician freshness have clearly done the peloton some good, which has been riding at a brisk pace since the start with an average speed of over 45 km/h and 80 km covered out of the 160 km of today’s stage. Five men are in the lead with a little less than three minutes ahead of the peloton. They are Wout Van Aert (Visma | Lease A Bike), Marc Soler (Team UAE), William Lecerf (Soudal – Quick Step), Quentin Pacher (Groupama – FDJ) and Juri Hollmann (Alpecin – Deceuninck). Behind, Alessandro de Marchi (Jayco – Alula) is sandwiched a little over a minute from the breakaway.
14:27 – An intense start to the stage
After just under 40 kilometres of racing, the breakaway has not yet formed despite the passage at the top of the Alto de Fonfria, classified in the 2nd category. On the descent a group of three riders, including Wout Van Aert, are at the front with a lead of less than 20 seconds.
13:15 – UAE back in the game
The first week had been difficult for the Emirati team, with Joao Almeida withdrawing despite being perfectly placed in the general classification, having tested positive for Covid-19. Adam Yates also had a difficult first few days, hit hard by the Andalusian heat and then by a fall on the 6th stage. Until Sunday’s stage to Granada, where the Briton has completely recovered. Winner of the solo stage, he is back in the top 10 overall and can dynamite the second week.
11:30 – A brisk recovery
After the first rest day yesterday, the 10th stage in Galicia that awaits the Vuelta peloton will not be a gentle return. With four climbs including a first category pass 25 kilometers from the finish, a breakaway could well go all the way this Tuesday. After an ideal first week, Ben O’Connor should not be worried today, but it will be interesting to see the Australian’s ability to continue as a week of all dangers awaits him.