Rodriguez cuts into Aru’s lead with Stage 15 win

SOTRES, Spain — Joaquin Rodriguez won the mountainous 15th stage of the Spanish Vuelta to reduce Fabio Aru’s overall lead to just one second on Sunday.

Rodriguez attacked on the final steep ascent, riding high off his seat and breaking into a smile as Nairo Quintana faded and Aru also dropped behind, leaving the Spaniard alone to crest the grueling peak.

He finished the 175.8-kilometre (110.9-mile) ride, culminating at the Sotres category-one summit, in 4 hours, 33 minutes, 31 seconds.

Aru was fifth across the line, 15 seconds behind. The Italian just barely saved the leader’s red jersey for Monday’s third consecutive stage with a summit finish in the northern mountains.

Dutchman Tom Dumoulin fell from third overall to fourth, now 1 minute, 25 seconds back. Rafal Majka of Poland is third.

Source:: sportsnet.ca

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