MADRID (Dispatches) - Colombia’s Miguel Angel Lopez produced a resilient ride to win the 18th stage of the Vuelta a Espana as Primoz Roglic closed in on the race title.
Lopez overcame the narrow climb in the mist and drizzle on the Alto d’El Gamoniteiro to hand Movistar a first Grand Tour stage victory of the season.
Overall leader Roglic, of Slovenia, finished second to retain the leader’s red jersey, while Enric Mas came third.
The race will reach its conclusion with a time trial on Sunday.
There were plenty of breakaways and attacks on the demanding, mountainous 162.6km stage, with gradients reaching 17% towards the finish.
Lopez took the lead with 4km remaining, and secured a victory to all but ensure he will finish on the podium.
Roglic is two minutes and 30 seconds in front of second-placed Mas overall, with Lopez 23 seconds further behind the Spaniard in third.
Great Britain’s Adam Yates finished the stage in 10th, and moves up to sixth place overall.