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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- A late attack on stage 12 of the recent Vuelta netted Gilbert a stage win.
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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.
Please excuse the interruption.
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