Tronchon sprints to Vuelta stage 10 win, Mas keeps red jersey / Photo: JOSE JORDAN - AFP
Tronchon sprints to Vuelta stage 10 win, Mas keeps red jersey
French rider Bastien Tronchon claimed Vuelta a Espana stage 10 victory as he edged a thrilling bunch sprint on Tuesday.
The Groupama rider was followed over the line by Magnus Cort Nielsen and Thibau Nys, who edged Wout van Aert to complete the day's podium.
Spaniard Enric Mas retained the red jersey ahead of Primoz Roglic and Felix Gall in the general classification.
Five-time Tour de France winner Tadej Pogacar was firm favourite to win the race until he crashed heavily on Saturday, breaking his collarbone and abandoning.
Tronchon was a surprise stage winner and could barely believe it himself after emerging triumphant from the chaotic sprint.
"I finished on the line but I wasn't sure if there was some guys in front or not, so I didn't put my hands in the air," said a delighted Tronchon.
Seven riders established a lead on the 184.7 kilometre route from Alcaraz to Elche de la Sierra, but Visma-Lease a Bike and Cofidis controlled the peloton to keep them within reach.
With 10 kilometres to go, Michael Gogl and Fredrik Dversnes were the only riders left ahead of the bunch, but their lead of just a few seconds was soon swallowed.
Yevgeniy Fedorov and Xabier Azparren attacked with a kilometre to go but the bunch caught them just before the line, with Tronchon timing his burst to perfection to claim victory.
On Wednesday, a largely flat stage 11 runs 153.8km from Cartagena to Lorca, ideal for the sprinters, although a category three climb up Morron de Totana offers a challenge before the end.
G.Mancini--MJ
