Deceuninck-Quick-Step’s Remi Cavagna soloed to victory on stage 19 of the Vuelta a España in Toledo today.
Sam Bennett (Bora-Hansgrohe) won the sprint for second place ahead of Zdenek Stybar (Deceuninck-Quick-Step) at the end of the 165.2km stage from Avila.
“I tried to do my best today. It was my last chance in the Vuelta,” said Cavagna.
“I gave it everything and I’m really happy because it’s my first win in a Grand Tour.”
Cavagna was part of a 10-man breakaway group that formed early on in wet and windy conditions.
The other riders in this bunch were Silvan Dillier (AG2R La Mondiale), Domen Novak (Bahrain-Merida), 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) and Peter Stetina (Trek-Segafredo).
Cavagna attacked with less than 30km remaining.
With 10km to go he led the chasers by 27 seconds, with the peloton 1:05 adrift.
The French rider managed to hold off the chasers to cross the finish line first.
Overall leader Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma) retained the red jersey, but lost some time due to being involved in a crash.
Strong cross winds across open fields made it difficult for him and the other riders who went down to eventually chase back to the peloton.
Alejandro Valverde (Movistar Team) trails Roglic by 2:47 in the overall standings, with Nairo Quintana (Movistar Team) lying in third place, 3:31 behind the leader.
Remi Cavagna won stage 19 of the Vuelta a España in Toledo today. Photo: Getty images
View more results below.
Stage 19 results
1. Rémi Cavagna (Fra) Deceuninck-Quick-Step 3:43:34
2. Sam Bennett (Irl) Bora-Hansgrohe +0:00:05
3. Zdenek Stybar (Cze) Deceuninck-Quick-Step
4. Philippe Gilbert (Bel) Deceuninck-Quick-Step
5. Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Movistar Team
6. Tosh Van Der Sande (Bel) Lotto Soudal +0:00:08
7. Dylan Teuns (Bel) Bahrain-Merida
8. Tadej Pogacar (Slo) UAE Team Emirates
9. Miguel Angel Lopez (Col) Astana Pro Team
10. Primoz Roglic (Slo) Team Jumbo-Visma
*Selected
60. Jaco Venter (RSA) Team Dimension Data +0:01:39
119. Nicholas Dlamini (RSA) Team Dimension Data +0:15:06
120. Willie Smit (RSA) Katusha-Alpecin
125. Louis Meintjes (RSA) Team Dimension Data
General classification
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-Quick-Step +0:13:20
10. Marc Soler (Spa) Movistar Team +0:21:09
*Selected
41. Louis Meintjes (RSA) Team Dimension Data +1:58:42
105. Nicholas Dlamini (RSA) Team Dimension Data +3:28:41
118. Willie Smit (RSA) Katusha-Alpecin +3:50:34
127. Jaco Venter (RSA) Team Dimension Data +3:56:56
