Matej Mohoric solos to stage 7 win at the Vuelta

Matej Mohoric (UAE Team Emirates) solo'ed away from the breakaway to take a convincing win as Froome retained the Red Jersey

Stage 7 was the longest stage in this year's Vuelta a España. The route led west into the Castile-La Mancha region to a tantalizing finale in Cuenca, with steep climbs and cobbles.

The first climb of the Puerto La Motalbana came after 51 km and features the KOM-points and the second climb of Alto de Santa Cruz de Moya came after after 89 km.

The day's stage started with a 14 strong breakaway consisting of: Alessandro De Marchi (BMC), Richard Carapaz, Jose Joaquin Rojas (Movistar), Pawel Poljanski (Bora-Hansgrohe), Alexis Gougeard (Ag2r La Mondiale), Floris De Tier (LottoNL-Jumbo), Matej Mohoric (UAE Team Emirates), Thomas De Gendt (Lotto-Soudal), Arnaud Courteille (FDJ), Luis Angel Mate, Anthony Perez (Cofidis), Rafael Reis (Caja Rural-Seguros RGA), Aldemar Reyes and Jetse Bol (Manzana-Postobon)

Their maximum lead was over nine minutes.

Team Sky led the bunch and caused a few splits as they picked up the pace and started to chase. Luckily for those in the second group, Team Sky slowed down and the peloton re-grouped. The peloton gave up the chase and

With 22 kms to Thomas De Gendt (Lotto-Soudal) decided to attack, not wanting to contest the final at the finish line. However Alessandro De Marchi (BMC) closed it down.

Alexis Gougeard (Ag2r La Mondiale) and Matej Mohoric (UAE Team Emirates) were the next to attack their breakaway companions and got a gap of 11 secs.

With 14 kms to go they hit the steep cobbled slopes of the climb up to Castillo. 

Jose Joaquin Rojas (Movistar) and Alessandro De Marchi (BMC) bridged up to Matej Mohoric (UAE Team Emirates) and Matej Mohoric (UAE Team Emirates) and Jose Joaquin Rojas (Movistar) pushed on.

Behind the rest of the breakaway chased, Thomas De Gendt (Lotto-Soudal) and Pawel Poljanski (Bora-Hansgrohe) bridged across and the four leaders press on on the descent with 11kms to go. Matej Mohoric (UAE Team Emirates) attacked again and got a gap on Jose Joaquin Rojas (Movistar), Thomas De Gendt (Lotto-Soudal) and Pawel Poljanski (Bora-Hansgrohe).

Behind the peloton hit the final climb of to Castillo, Froome was at the head of the peloton with his Team Sky compatriots.

Matej Mohoric (UAE Team Emirates) built up a lead of 14 seconds ahead of the group containing Thomas De Gendt (Lotto-Soudal).

Matej Mohoric (UAE Team Emirates) maintained his gap and crossed the line winning the stage ahead of Pawel Poljanski (Bora-Hansgrohe). second Jose Joaquin Rojas (Movistar) third and Thomas De Gendt (Lotto-Soudal) fourth.

2017 Vuleta a Espana Stage 7 Top Ten

1 Matej Mohoric (Slo) UAE Team Emirates 4:43:35 
2 Pawel Poljanski (Pol) Bora-Hansgrohe 0:00:16 
3 Jose Rojas (Spa) Movistar Team   
4 Thomas De Gendt (Bel) Lotto Soudal   
5 Alessandro De Marchi (Ita) BMC Racing Team 0:00:27 
6 Floris De Tier (Bel) Team LottoNl-Jumbo   
7 Jetse Bol (Ned) Manzana Postobon 0:00:29 
8 Luis Angel Mate (Spa) Cofidis, Solutions Credits 0:01:32 
9 Anthony Perez (Fra) Cofidis, Solutions Credits   
10 Arnaud Courteille (Fra) FDJ

2017 Vuelta a Espana Stage 7 Final Kilometre