The final ‘week’ of the Vuelta a España is about to get underway but, before it does, join us as we look back at the race’s exciting second ‘week’. It had plenty to keep us entertained: breakthrough victories for rising stars, classic victories from established stars, Primoz Roglic’s ever-tightening grip on La Roja.
Here’s how week 2 of the Vuelta unfolded, as told through the faces of its participants. If you haven’t already, be sure to check out our gallery from the opening week.
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- Week 2 kicked off with an ITT. George Bennett rode to 28th on the day.
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- Pop quiz: who’s the French national time trial champion?
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- Edward Theuns took a nasty spill on stage 10.
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- Most predicted Roglic would move into the lead in the stage 10 ITT and he proved them right, winning the stage and taking red.
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- Mikel Nieve waits for nature to do its job at doping control.
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- Did you know Primoz Roglic used to be a ski jumper?
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- Theuns needed some treatment after his stage 10 crash but he continued on.
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- Basque rider Mikel Iturria had plenty to celebrate on stage 11 after winning on home soil.
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- Jonathan Lastra collapsed after finishing second.
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- If you’re going to take your first pro win, you might as well do it in your home Grand Tour.
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- Stage 12 saw Philippe Gilbert at his best, attacking on a steep ramp on the way to Bilbao.
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- Gilbert now has six Vuelta stage wins in his career.
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- Tony Martin was the last rider to finish stage 12, 23 minutes down.
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- Angel Madrazo has led the KOM classification for 14 stages at this year’s Vuelta.
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- The world champion, Alejandro Valverde, has plenty of fans in his native Spain.
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- Tadej Pogacar clearly wasn’t content with a single stage win at this year’s Vuelta. He now has two, and sits third overall.
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- Esteban Chaves enjoys a quiet moment before stage 14.
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- A tough uphill drag to the finish of stage 14 saw Sam Bennett take an easy win — his second of the Vuelta.
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- “Hello. My name is Alejandro. Can I come in?”
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- Stage 15 saw Sepp Kuss break away from the breakaway and take his first WorldTour win.
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- That feeling of satisfaction and relief when you can stop pedalling after crossing a finish line first.
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- By the end of stage 15 Quintana was down in fifth place overall.
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- Nicolas Edet, who led the race briefly in the first week, is holding firm inside the top 10.
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- A handshake to say “thanks” and “job well done” after Roglic and Valverde worked together to distance their rivals. They sit first and second overall.
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- Jakob Fuglsang got away from the break on stage 16 …
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- … to take what is, somewhat surprisingly, his first Grand Tour stage win.
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- With five stages remaining in the Vuelta, and just two that are likely to affect the GC, Primoz Roglic is well placed to win his first Grand Tour.
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