Fabio Jakobsen remains at the top of the points classification.
Less than a wheel separated Andrea Bagioli from his first Grand Tour victory in Cordoba, where stage 12 of the race concluded. One of the most beautiful cities in Spain, founded by the Romans 2200 years ago and later transformed under the Ummayad Caliphate into a renowned center of learning and innovation, Cordoba returned at La Vuelta after a decade and it didn’t disappoint.
The day was again raced full gas, a proper breakaway being established only 100 kilometers into the stage. The eight men at the front, despite their best efforts, didn’t have a chance against a bunch determined to see things come back together before the final ascent, which featured some nasty ramps that splintered the red jersey group.
Attacks were launched there, but the small group that got away before the top was brought back on the flat run-in to Cordoba, where Andrea Bagioli showed again the amazing sprint he possesses at the end of a hard day and maturity well beyond his age, taking a close second behind Magnus Cort (EF Education-Nippo) for his third Grand Tour stage podium, after the ones in Suances, last year, and Alto de la Cullera, one week ago.
“To be on the podium of a Grand Tour is always a good result, but today I wanted the victory. I did a good race, made sure of keeping enough energy in the legs on the last ascent and then placing myself onto Cort’s wheel, as I knew he was the guy to follow. In the closing 200 meters I gave everything, but he was just stronger. Hopefully there will be some more chances for me before the Vuelta finishes”, an upbeat Andrea said after our team’s seventh top 3 finish at this edition, at the end of a stage which saw teammate Fabio Jakobsen retain the green jersey.
Photo credit: ©Stuart Franklin / Getty Images
