Pinot wins tough finale at Covadonga as Yates retains Lead
Frenchman Thibaut Pinot attacked the GC favorites to win atop Covadonga while Simon Yates took time from his rivals
Another tough mountain stage with a tougher finish atop Covadonga. The breakaway was swept up on the final climb.
In the finale Thibaut Pinot attacked the GC favorites with 6 kms to go.
Yates decided to chase Pinot and Quintana, Lopez and Mas followed.
Kruijswijk and Valverde were distanced but eventually managed to get back into the favorites group.
While Pinot won the stage, behind Lopez attacked the Yates group, Yates countered and distanced Quintana and Valverde to gain a small time advantage on his rivals.
Simon Yates is now 26 seconds ahead of Valverde and 33 secs ahead of Quintana.
More to follow shortly.
VIDEO: 2018 La Vuelta Stage 15 Highlights by GCN
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2018 La Vuelta Stage 15 Top 10
1 Thibaut Pinot (Fra) Groupama-FDJ 5:01:49
2 Miguel Angel Lopez (Col) Astana Pro Team 0:00:28
3 Simon Yates (GBr) Mitchelton-Scott 0:00:30
4 Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Movistar Team 0:00:32
5 Steven Kruijswijk (Ned) LottoNL-Jumbo
6 Enric Mas (Spa) Quick-Step Floors 0:00:34
7 Nairo Quintana (Col) Movistar Team
8 Rigoberto Uran (Col) EF Education First-Drapac p/b Cannondale 0:01:25
9 Emanuel Buchmann (Ger) Bora-Hansgrohe 0:01:33
10 Ion Izagirre (Spa) Bahrain-Merida 0:01:49
2018 La Vuelta GC after Stage 15 Top 10
1 Simon Yates (GBr) Mitchelton-Scott 64:13:33
2 Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Movistar Team 0:00:26
3 Nairo Quintana (Col) Movistar Team 0:00:33
4 Miguel Angel Lopez (Col) Astana Pro Team 0:00:43
5 Steven Kruijswijk (Ned) LottoNL-Jumbo 0:01:29
6 Enric Mas (Spa) Quick-Step Floors 0:01:55
7 Thibaut Pinot (Fra) Groupama-FDJ 0:02:10
8 Rigoberto Uran (Col) EF Education First-Drapac p/b Cannondale 0:02:27
9 Ion Izagirre (Spa) Bahrain-Merida 0:03:03
10 Emanuel Buchmann (Ger) Bora-Hansgrohe 0:03:15