Result: SWEDEN’S FREDERIK KESSIAKOFF (Astana) claimed the first Grand Tour stage of his career by winning today’s 39 kilometre individual time trial from Cambados to Pontevedra in Galicia.
The day’s big winner was Alberto Contador (SaxoBank-Tinkoff) though. The pre-race favourite hauled himself right back into red jersey contention with a brilliant ride to finish 17 seconds behind Kessiakoff in second place, taking a chunk of time out of all of his general classification rivals.
Joaquim Rodriguez remains in red overnight but by the narrowest of margins. Only a single second now separate the Katusha rider and Contador, with Christopher Froome (Sky) a further 15 seconds back in third.
Who’s wearing what jersey?
- Red (general classification): Joaquim Rodriguez
- Green (points): John Degenkolb
- Blue dots (mountains): Alejandro Valverde
- White (all-round): Joaquim Rodriguez
How did Nico do? Roche came home in 21st place, 2:21 behind Kessiakoff’s time. He remains seventh in the GC standings though he did lose ground on Daniel Moreno in sixth, who stretched the gap between the two by 19 seconds.
What happens tomorrow? A handful of tricky climbs await as the peloton tackle a spectacular 185 kilometres through Galicia from Vilagarcia de Arousa to Mirador de Ezaro.
