Nat Bromhead
Orica-Bike Exchange climbing sensation and ‘honorary Aussie’ Esteban Chaves finished fifth in Stage 3 of La Vuelta in Spain last night. Crossing the line with Tour de France winner Chris Froome, Chaves matched it with the best of them in the 176km stage won by Alexandre Geniez of FDJ.
With on-board cameras capturing much of the action here’s a riders’ eye view of the scenic but challenging stage.
Thousands of fans lined the sides of the final brutal climb – the incline nudging 30% in sections.
The ‘Mirador de Ézaro’ resembled the Tour de France’s Alpe d’ Huez. Police and race organisers struggled to keep the keen fans out of the way of the fractured peloton as riders struggled up the final kilometre of the gruelling stage.
The uphill battle continues at La Vuelta tonight with riders tackling a 163km stage that culminates with an 11km mountain pass, with an average inclination of 4.8%. Here’s the profile of Stage 4.
2016 Vuelta a Espana General Classification:
1. GENIEZ A. FDJ 04h 28′ 36”
2. FERNANDEZ ANDUJAR 00′ 21”
3. VALVERDE A 00′ 26”
4. FROOME C 00′ 26”
5. CHAVES Esteban 00′ 26”
6. QUINTANA Nairo 00′ 32”
