Groves wins sprint after Alaphilippe becomes latest Vuelta casualty

MADRID: Australian Kaden Groves won a frantic sprint to take stage 11 of the Vuelta a Espana on Wednesday as Remco Evenepoel maintained his overall lead on a day dominated by further rider casualties.

After more big names failed to start following positive COVID tests, Julian Alaphilippe crashed out with less than 70 kilometers to go, dealing a blow to his hopes of a world title hat-trick and to the Vuelta chances of team-mate Evenepoel.

“It’s sad on such a quiet stage to lose Julian,” said Evenepoel. “It’s a stupid fall. I hope he’s okay and that he doesn’t suffer too much.

“He was in great shape, but I have confidence in all my teammates for the coming weeks.”

Groves gave BikeExchange their first victory of this year’s Vuelta on the day they lost British team leader Simon Yates following a positive COVID test.

“This morning with the news of Simon going positive for Covid all the boys were pretty disappointed,” said Groves after the 191.2km run along the windy Andalusian coast to Cabo de Gata.

“It was the best way to bounce back after such news.”

“I’m really happy to celebrate but also wish he was here,” said Groves after his first major tour stage victory.

Evenepoel finished safely in the peloton to preserve his 2min 41sec lead over Primoz Roglic but the Belgian lost a key ally in Alaphilippe.

The double world champion left the course in an ambulance after dislocating his right shoulder in a fall with less than 70km to go.

He will fly to Belgium on Thursday for further scans to rule out any further damage, his Quick-Step team said in a statement.

The crash puts 30-year-old Alaphilippe’s chances of winning three straight world championship road races in doubt. This year’s event is in Wollongong, Australia,