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Alberto Contador stretches lead over third-place Chris Froome in Vuelta Alberto Contador stretches lead over third-placed Chris Froome in Vuelta
(41 minutes later)
Poland’s Przemyslaw Niemiec won the 15th stage of the Vuelta a España as Alberto Contador moved further ahead of Britain’s Chris Froome at the end of a gruelling final ascent on Sunday.Poland’s Przemyslaw Niemiec won the 15th stage of the Vuelta a España as Alberto Contador moved further ahead of Britain’s Chris Froome at the end of a gruelling final ascent on Sunday.
The Spaniard Contador, who retained the overall leader’s red jersey, battled against the negative tactics of Alejandro Valverde and Joaquim Rodríguez to finish a few seconds behind his two compatriots.The Spaniard Contador, who retained the overall leader’s red jersey, battled against the negative tactics of Alejandro Valverde and Joaquim Rodríguez to finish a few seconds behind his two compatriots.
The Tinkoff-Saxo rider attacked time and again in the final climb, a 12.2km ascent at an average gradient of 7.2% to Lagos de Covadonga.The Tinkoff-Saxo rider attacked time and again in the final climb, a 12.2km ascent at an average gradient of 7.2% to Lagos de Covadonga.
But Rodríguez and Valverde refused to co-operate to get rid of Froome, who was struggling a few metres behind.But Rodríguez and Valverde refused to co-operate to get rid of Froome, who was struggling a few metres behind.
The Briton limited the damage and still lies third overall, 1min 20sec behind Contador after losing seven seconds to the Spaniard at the end of Sunday’s 152.2km ride.The Briton limited the damage and still lies third overall, 1min 20sec behind Contador after losing seven seconds to the Spaniard at the end of Sunday’s 152.2km ride.
The Frenchman Warren Barguil was the first to shake off a small group of favourites in the final climb but Contador went hard in the final six kilometres.The Frenchman Warren Barguil was the first to shake off a small group of favourites in the final climb but Contador went hard in the final six kilometres.
Froome, who was yo-yoing at the back, appeared to crack several times but always managed to fight his way back, never losing sight of Contador.Froome, who was yo-yoing at the back, appeared to crack several times but always managed to fight his way back, never losing sight of Contador.
Contador, a double Tour de France champion, looking to win the Vuelta for the third time, was outsprinted by Valverde and Rodríguez in the finale as the Movistar and Katusha riders snatched six and four seconds of time bonuses respectively.Contador, a double Tour de France champion, looking to win the Vuelta for the third time, was outsprinted by Valverde and Rodríguez in the finale as the Movistar and Katusha riders snatched six and four seconds of time bonuses respectively.
Niemiec, of the Lampre-Merida team, was the sole survivor of the day’s breakaway and held off the trio of rivals to win the stage, crossing the line five seconds ahead of Valverde and Rodríguez.Niemiec, of the Lampre-Merida team, was the sole survivor of the day’s breakaway and held off the trio of rivals to win the stage, crossing the line five seconds ahead of Valverde and Rodríguez.
Monday’s 16th stage is classed as the queen stage, a 160.5km trek to La Farrapona, featuring four categorised climbs.Monday’s 16th stage is classed as the queen stage, a 160.5km trek to La Farrapona, featuring four categorised climbs.