NICOLAS ROCHE IS the new leader of the Vuelta a Espana this evening.
The Irishman took the red jersey thanks to a third-place finish in Andalusia.
Czech rider Leopold Konig (NetApp) produced a impressive final climb to win the eighth stage of the Tour of Spain as Ireland’s Roche (Saxo) took the oveall lead of the race.
Konig just held off a late surge by Daniel Moreno (Katusha) to take the 166.6km stage from Jerez de la Frontera to Estepona with 29-year-old Roche — son of 1987 Tour de France winner Stephen — finishing third.
Overnight leader Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) was one of many favourites to suffer on the 14.5km category one climb to the finish as he fell to fourth, 18 seconds off the lead, in the overall standings with Chris Horner (RadioShack) and Moreno tied for second 17 seconds back.
It was a happy ending for the Roche family after the day had started on a poor note with Nicolas Roche’s cousin Daniel Martin having to withdraw from the race as he was suffering from concussion after a heavy fall in Friday’s stage.
- additional reporting AFP
