Team MTN-Qhubeka’s Sergio Pardilla did a great ride to end the 18th stage of the Vuelta a Espana in 11th position while Jacques Janse van Rensburg did superbly to finish 20th.
Team MTN-Qhubeka. Photo: Supplied
Astana’s Fabio Aru just pipped Chris Froome to the line to claim victory in the stage and Alejandro Valverde from Movistar came in third place.
This stage was to be the fastest so far as riders were averaging close on 50km/h for the first two hours of racing.
Jay Thomson and Jaco Venter were covering the initial attacks of day with Thomson eventually going clear with a small group of riders.
Janse van Rensburg held his own after looking after Pardilla to finish in the top 20. Pardilla showed he had good legs by attacking the favourites group multiple times but his wheel was closely marked, in the end Pardilla crossed the line in 11th.
