Rémi Cavagna solos for 25 kms to win Controversial stage
Rémi Cavagna (Deceuninck-QuickStep) won stage 19 after attacking his breakaway companions and holding off the peloton. Movistar came under attack after distancing several riders including Roglic and Lopez after a big crash
Eleven went away in the initial breakaway; Silvan Dillier (AG2R La Mondiale), Domen Novak (Bahrain-Merida), Rémi Cavagna (Deceuninck-Quick Step), Lawson Craddock (EF Education First), Bruno Armirail (Groupama-FDJ), Tsgabu Grmay (Mitchelton Scott), Ben O’Connor (Team Dimension Data), David de la Cruz (Team Ineos), Nikias Arndt (Team Sunweb), Peter Stetina (Trek-Segafredo).
They built up a lead of over 3 minutes, but the wind and rain took their toll and their advantage started to dwindle.With 66kms to go there was a big crash in the peloton, Roglic and Lopez were caught up in the carnage, Tony Martin abandoned the race.
What happened next was pure chaos, Valverde ordered Movistar to put the hammer down and Team Movistar rode flat out for 15 kms. Behind Team Astana dropped back to bring back Lopez including an isolated Roglic.
Eventually after several complaints, Movistar turned off the gas, allowing Lopez, Roglic and the rest of the peloton to re-group. The waere shouts of anger and frustration amongst the riders, mainly directed at Valverde and Movistar. In fact, Movistar may be in trouble for attacking the race leader after he was delayed due to a crash.
Whilst this was going on the breakaway's lead went back up to 1m 20s. With 25 kms to Cavagna went on the attack and distanced his breakway companions and built up a lead of 1m 40s.
The peloton chased down the breakaway and started to reel in Cavagna, who managed to hang on to cross the line with just 5 seconds in hand.
No real change in GC, however tomorrow's Stage 20 is another mountainous stage and fireworks are expected.
Stage 20 to Plataforma de Gredos is a difficult 18 9km stage serving up five mountain passes. If any of the teams have any gunpowder left, this is the perfect terrain for an ambush. A very winding route up to the climb of Puerto de Peña Negra (1st category), where the race leader will have to fend off his rivals’ right down to the wire if he wants to win La Vuelta.
Expect Valverde, Pogacar, Quintana and Lopex to attack each other while Roglic defends.
VIDEO: 2019 La Vuelta Stage 19 Highlights
2019 La Vuelta Stage 19 Top 10
1 Rémi Cavagna (Fra) Deceuninck-QuickStep 3:43:34
2 Sam Bennett (Irl) Bora-Hansgrohe 0:00:05
3 Zdenek Stybar (Cze) Deceuninck-QuickStep 0:00:05
4 Philippe Gilbert (Bel) Deceuninck-QuickStep 0:00:05
5 Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Movistar Team 0:00:05
6 Tosh Van Der Sande (Bel) Lotto Soudal 0:00:08
7 Dylan Teuns (Bel) Bahrain-Merida 0:00:08
8 Tadej Pogacar (Slo) UAE Team Emirates 0:00:08
9 Miguel Angel Lopez (Col) Astana Pro Team 0:00:08
10 Primoz Roglic (Slo) Team Jumbo-Visma 0:00:08
2019 La Vuelta GF after Stage 19 Top 10
1 Primoz Roglic (Slo) Team Jumbo-Visma 75:00:36
2 Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Movistar Team 0:02:47
3 Nairo Quintana (Col) Movistar Team 0:03:31
4 Miguel Angel Lopez (Col) Astana Pro Team 0:04:17
5 Tadej Pogacar (Slo) UAE Team Emirates 0:04:49
6 Rafal Majka (Pol) Bora-Hansgrohe 0:07:46
7 Wilco Kelderman (Ned) Team Sunweb 0:09:46
8 Carl Fredrik Hagen (Nor) Lotto Soudal 0:11:50
9 James Knox (GBr) Deceuninck-QuickStep 0:13:20
10 Marc Soler (Spa) Movistar Team 0:21:09