Kaden Groves (BEX) takes advantage of a solid lead-out train to beset his rivals at the sprint finish on Stage 11 of La Vuelta 2022.

Stage 11 was a classic sprint stage. Not a single categorized climb in sight. Perfect for the sprint teams to usher their fastmen to the final meters for a bunch sprint finish along the breezy coast of southern Spain. Groves’ final kick in the last few meters rocketed him front of the group by half a bike’s length.

The other big story of the stage was Covid-19. Big names were lost from the peloton (noted below) that will decisively change the complexion of the race.

Remco Evenepoel (QST) keeps the red jersey with second-place Primoz Roglic (JV) 2:41 back. Mads Pedersen (TSF) and Jay Vine (ALD) retain the green and polka dot jersey, respectively.

American Lawson Craddock (BEX) remains the highest-ranked overall of his countrymen at 53rd after Stage 11.

Notable exits: Pavel Sivakov (IGD) did not start. Simon Yates (BEX) did not start, sinking BikeExchange’s GC ambitions. Both of these riders were in the overall top-10 after Stage 10.

World champion Julian Alaphilippe (QST) took a nasty fall with around 60km, hurt his shoulder, and did not get back on the bike. Red jersey wearer and teammate Remco Evenepoel loses his top support rider.

And the Equipo Kern Pharma team was absolutely crushed, losing three riders to Covid-19 positives: Adria Oliveras Roger, Carretero Hector, and Miquel Delgado Pau.