Eiking defends Vuelta a España lead against the odds

Odd Christian Eiking (Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux) continues to lead the Vuelta a España after stage 14
Odd Christian Eiking (Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux) continues to lead the Vuelta a España after stage 14 (Image credit: Getty Images Sport)

There was a point halfway up the Pico Villuercas climb on stage 14 of the Vuelta a España when it all looked to be over for race leader Odd Christian Eiking (Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux).

France's Guillaume Martin (Cofidis), his closest rival on GC, split off the front of the GC contenders' group with a teammate, and while several of the Norwegian's teammates like Louis Meintjes were able to shadow the move, Eiking was not among them.

Alasdair Fotheringham

Alasdair Fotheringham has been reporting on cycling since 1991. He has covered every Tour de France since 1992 bar one, as well as numerous other bike races of all shapes and sizes, ranging from the Olympic Games in 2008 to the now sadly defunct Subida a Urkiola hill climb in Spain. As well as working for Cyclingnews, he has also written for The IndependentThe GuardianProCycling, The Express and Reuters.