SPAIN’S JOAQUIN RODRIGUEZ (Katusha) jumped into the overall lead at the Vuelta a Espana today, breaking away within the final kilometre to finish this afternoon’s eighth stage nine seconds ahead of Michele Scarponi.
With race leader Sylvain Chavanel finishing a minute and three seconds back in 37th place, the red jersey now passes to Rodriguez, who holds a 32 second lead over team-mate Daniel Moreno in the general classification standings.
Irish riders Nicolas Roche (A2GR-La Mondiale) and Daniel Martin (Garmin-Cervelo) had good days on today’s 177km stage to San Lorenzo de El Escorial. Both finished 15 seconds behind Rodriguez, in seventh and ninth place respectively.
Martin now lies in 22nd place overall, two minutes and two seconds behind the red jersey. Roche is a further three seconds back in 23rd place.
