Remco Evenepoel wins in red as breakaway survivor Robert Gesink cruelly denied on Stage 18 at La Vuelta

Remco Evenepoel (Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl) won in red after a thrilling finish to Stage 18 at La Vuelta saw the Belgian towed into the finale by rival Enric Mas (Movistar) before the pair cruelly leapfrogged Robert Gesink (Jumbo-Visma). Despite a huge 42-man breakaway allowed up the road, Evenepoel and Mas overhauled the last survivor, Gesink, in the final 500 metres after a thrilling game of cat-and-mouse between the two remaining big GC hitters.

Ad Evenepoel steamed clear to the summit to gap Mas and hoover up bonus seconds, leaving his quest for a maiden Grand Tour title now looking a formality. He leads the GC by 2'07" from Mas with three stages remaining.

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You can also watch all the action live on eurosport.co.uk. Vuelta a EspañaLa Vuelta: How to watch Stage 18 as Evenepoel defends red again8 HOURS AGO Vuelta a EspañaMas needs to put Evenepoel on 'back foot… sooner rather than later' — Blythe21 HOURS AGO