Stage 9: Asturian Glory for Meintjes
Louis Meintjes outclasses his breakaway companions on the fierce 24% gradients on the uphill climb to win Stage 9 of La Vuelta 2022. The win breaks a cold streak on the world tour stretching back to 2015 for the South African.
⏪💥¡Les Praeres explota la carrera! Revive el ULTIMO KM de la etapa 9⃣ con @CarrefourES.
— La Vuelta (@lavuelta) August 28, 2022
🤪 #LaVuelta22 explodes on Les Praeres. Enjoy the spectacular final KM of Stage 9⃣ courtesy of Carrefour.#CarrefourConLaVuelta pic.twitter.com/yP3Ny0xi7p
In what is fast becoming the dominant pattern of this year’s race, red jersey man Remco Evenepoel (QST) puts in a pace that makes it impossible for his GC rivals to pull back time. In fact, the Belgian rider takes more time on the big names like Enric Mas (MOV) and Primoz Roglic (JV), who stand in second and third place overall, respectively.
Stage 9 is the type of monstrous mountain stage that you throw at riders right before a rest day. The Asturian route takes advantage of the lush green valleys and mountains, pushing the peloton up and down a series of category-1, -2, and -3 climbs. The uphill finish at Les Praeres introduced the riders to crushing gradients, enabling the top contenders to pull away from the pack.
Mads Pedersen (Trek-Segafredo) has been knocking on the door in the green jersey competition for multiple stages. On Stage 9 he finally squeaks through with a 5-point advantage on previous green jersey wearer Sam Bennett (BOH).
After raking in the KOM points on Stage 8, Jay Vine had no trouble holding onto the polka dot jersey through Stage 9.
American Lawson Craddock (BEX) at 59th overall becomes the highest-ranked of his countrymen after the unlucky exit of Sepp Kuss (JV).
Notable exits: American Sepp Kuss did not start due to fever. Teammate Primoz Roglic’s path to a fourth win at Le Vuelta just got harder.
Juan Sebastian Molano (UAE) sneaks in front of rivals in the mad dash to beat Mads Pedersen (TSF) at the line on the final Stage 21 of La Vuelta 2022.
Richard Carapaz (IGD) scores a hat trick on Stage 20 of La Vuelta 2022.
Mads Pedersen (TSF) wins Stage 19 in a reduced bunch sprint to score a hat trick at La Vuelta 2022.
Red jersey man Remco Evenepoel (QST) soldiered up the Alto de Piornal for the win on Stage 18 of La Vuelta 2022.
Veteran rider Rigoberto Uran (EFE) earned a long-awaited stage win at La Vuelta with a win on Stage 17.
Mads Pedersen (TSF) wins a reduced bunch sprint on a mad attack in the final kilometers of Stage 16 in La Vuelta 2022.
Dutch rider Thymen Arensman (DSM) pushed the pedals for a breakaway solo win atop Alto Hoya de la Mora on Stage 15 at La Vuelta 2022.
Richard Carpaz (Ineos-Grenadiers) strikes again on the climb of Sierra de la Pandera at Stage 14 of La Vuelta 2022.
Mads Pedersen (Trek-Segafredo) reeled in the win on sprint stage 13 of La Vuelta 2022.
Richard Carapaz (IGD) flashed his Grand Tour-winning form with a fierce breakaway attack to win the uphill finish on Stage 12 of La Vuelta 2022.
Big crashes and big name Covid-19 positives loom over the sprint win by Kaden Groves on Stage 11 of La Vuelta 2022.
The red jersey wearer Remco Evenepoel (QST) took best time in the individual time trial on Stage 10 of La Vuelta 2022.
Louis Meintjes outclasses his breakaway companions on the fierce 24% gradients on the uphill climb to win Stage 9 of La Vuelta 2022.
The winner of Stage 8 looks a lot like the winner of Stage 6 – it’s Jay Vine (Alpecin-Deceuninck), who is turning into a climbing revelation at the 2022 La Vuelta.
Spanish rider Jesus Herrada (Cofidis) beat out rivals in the breakaway group for a bunch sprint win on Stage 7 of the 2022 La Vuelta.
It was a foggy, rainy mountain finish and Jay Vine (Alpecin-Deceuninck) rode in on a wet cloud to win Stage 6 of the 2022 La Vuelta.
A huge bounce back effort from Marc Soler (UAE) holds off the breakaway for a win on Stage 5 in La Vuelta 2022.
The king reclaims his crown. Primoz Roglic slides into the red jersey after a strong uphill finish on Stage 4 of La Vuelta 2022.
Sprinter Sam Bennett (Bora-Hansgrohe) enjoyed another sprint victory on Stage 3 as La Vuelta 2022 completed its prelude in the Netherlands with a Breda/Breda loop.
Jumbo-Visma picked up at La Vuelta where it left off at the Tour de France, besting the competition to win the Stage 1 Team Time Trial by a solid 13 seconds.
Hump Day News answers your frequently asked questions about the 2022 edition of La Vuelta.
Join Hump Day News on our 2022 Vuelta a Twitter!