Vuelta a Espana: How the GC contenders fared at Lagos de Covadonga

Ranking the overall contenders at Vuelta a España can be a rather hazardous sort of an exercise in its early phases, at least when compared with the more regimented Tour de France. This late in the season, in a race where weaker teams and more fatigued riders tackle often unfamiliar terrain, the Vuelta carries few of the certainties of July.

Barry Ryan
Head of Features

Barry Ryan was Head of Features at Cyclingnews. He has covered professional cycling since 2010, reporting from the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia and events from Argentina to Japan. His writing has appeared in The Independent, Procycling and Cycling Plus. He is the author of The Ascent: Sean Kelly, Stephen Roche and the Rise of Irish Cycling’s Golden Generation, published by Gill Books.