As it happened: Breakaway succeed on hellish Cuitu Negru gradients as battle for red continues

Hola! And welcome to CyclingNews' live updates of stage 15 at La Vuelta a España 2024 from Infiesto to Valgrande-Pajares Cuitu Negru with 143km in between. 

Sign on is well underway in Infiesto. 

First things first, let's have a look at today's stage by reading through our preview in the link below...

>>> Vuelta a España stage 15 preview - Race returns to fearsome Cuitu Negru summit for 'a really treacherous stage' 

Yesterday was tough for Wout Van Aert after his Visma-Lease a Bike team worked all day just for him to lose in the sprint to Kaden Groves (ADC)...

>>> 'It's a hard pill to swallow' – Wout van Aert suffers near miss after Visma reel in break at Vuelta a España 

Despite losing a massive chunk of time to Primož Roglič (RBH) last time the race finished on a summit, red jersey Ben O'Connor (DAT) is remaining hopeful that he can hold on to the race lead...

>>> 'I'm staying optimistic' – race leader Ben O'Connor ready to battle on at Vuelta a España 

Movistar feeling good about their leader, Enric mas, as the Spaniard continues to put in a strong performance at his home Grand Tour...

>>> Movistar keep faith in Enric Mas at Vuelta a España as Spaniard impresses on GC 

The legs are clearly there for Primož Roglič at this race but will luck stay on the Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe rider's side after a worrying late mechanical yesterday... 

>>> 'The hardest is still to come' – Primož Roglič getting closer to prize despite late scare at Vuelta a España 

And finally, Covid-19 rears it's ugly head once again as this time it claims the scalp of Cian Uijtdebroeks (TVL) as the Belgian rider leaves the race with the virus...

>>> Cian Uijtdebroeks abandons Vuelta a España with COVID-19 

Today is the birthday of stage 11 winner, Eddie Dunbar (JAY), and Arjen Livyns (LTD). They turn 28 and 30 today. Happy birthday to them both. 

Neutral start

The riders have started the neutralised zone for stage 15. 

143km to go

The flag is waved and racing begins on the final stage of week two in this year's Vuelta! 

Attack

Kasper Asgreen (SOQ)

He is followed by a rider from Euskaltel-Euskadi as the peloton stalls behind briefly. 

Break:

Asgreen (SOQ)
Juaristi (EUS) 

Several riders trying to bridge to the duo up front with Arkea-B&B Hotels being the main team keen to get to the leaders. 

Sheehan (IPT), Gregeeard (LTD), Thompson (GFC) and Soto (EKP) join Asgreen (SOQ) and Juaristi (EUS) at the front with several more trying to bridge. 

UAE Team Emirates and Visma-Lease a Bike are really pushing to get into the break but Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe are very keen to control this for the moment. 

Asgreen (SOQ), Sheehan (IPT) and Gregaard (LTD) now gap the others in the leading group and are pushing on as the break's co-operation breaks down. 

Bike change

Harry Sweeny (EFE)

130km to go

The first 13km fly by with the average speed being just under 50kph in the first quarter of an hour. Riders in the peloton are still trying to get up the road but the peloton isn't having it.

A new move is flying across to the three leaders. The new move includes Jay Vine (UAD). 

Vine (UAD), Frigo (IPT), Izagirre (COF) and Castrillo (EKP) join Asgreen (SOQ), Sheehan (IPT) and Gregaard (LTD) in the break but the attacks continue behind with Wout Van Aert (TVL) being the latest to try. 

Ion Izagirre (COF) is the best placed rider in the break at over 56 minutes down on the red jersey. So, a strong group but no-one dangerous in the GC at alll. DSM-Firmenich-PostNL trying to bridge with two riders but that is closed down once again. 

Now a new move comes again with Max Poole (DFP) launches with five riders trying to chase him as they look to bridge. 

That new move with Poole (DFP) is dragged back with Van Aert (TVL) and Pedersen (SOQ) now launching their latest move. 

Just around 10km to the base of the first climb of the day. The Alto de la Colladiella which is 6.4km at an average gradient of 8.2% and is a category one climb. This is the first of two times up this ascent. 

120km to go

The peloton still hasn't calmed down with a huge split in the bunch. 

The peloton reassembles. The break of eight working together well as Van Aert (TVL) and Pedersen (SOQ) are dragged back by the bunch. 

The split in the bunch was a bit of a nightmare for Decathlon-AG2R as red jersey, Ben O'Connor, caught in the split of the peloton. 

Today is a very pleasant 22 degrees centigrade as the break is allowed to go. The bunch spreads across the road and the gap will now balloon. 

Attack from peloton

Louis Meintjes (IWA)

An Arkea-B&B Hotels rider is trying to join him as they start the Alto de la Colladiella for the first of two times today. 

The Arkea rider is Mathis Le Berre. 

Attack in peloton

Yet another move from the peloton and the battle for the break starts all over again. Movistar trying to bridge as well as Marc Soler (UAD) and Michael Woods (IPT) in the gap. 

110km to go

Absolute carnage on the road of the Alto de la Colladiella as the break is seemingly not complete just yet. 

Irish national champion, Darren Rafferty (EFE), has kicked out of the peloton to try and join the leaders as well. But it will be a tough chase for him. 

Soler (UAD) and Woods (IPT) join Le Berre (ARK) and they immediately drop him too. Meanwhile, Meintjes (IWA) joins the leading group. Brilliant ride by the South African. 

Rafferty (EFE) back in the bunch as yet more moves are launches off the front of the pack. Several riders falling out of the back. 

Soler (UAD) dragging Woods (IPT) across to the leading group including Vine (UAD) is absolutely crazy. Vine is likely the strongest climber in the leading group but Soler is now bringing Woods across who has already shown his climbing form at this race. 

Another decent sized group has about 10 bikes lengths on the peloton and have caught Le Berre (ARK). They may even catch Soler (UAD) and Woods (IPT) too. 

Adam Yates (UAD) is now chasing Marc Soler (UAD) and Michael Woods (IPT) down with Dani Martinez (RBH), Mattia Cattaneo (SOQ) and Valentin Paret-Peintre (DAT). 

Back in the peloton, Armirail (DAT) leads the bunch with O'Connor (DAT) in third wheel for the moment. The peloton as hammering the pace to try and bring this back and the pack is now absolutely tiny. 

The GC riders join the Yates (UAD) group but Soler (UAD) still continues this infernal pace. Absolutely bizarre tactics by UAE Team Emirates with Vine (UAD) being in with a very good chance of taking polka dots today. 

Attack in peloton

Pavel Sivakov (UAD)
Primož Roglič (RBH)
Enric Mas (MOV)
Ben O'Connor (DAT)

That is, unsurprisingly caught. Sivakov (UAD) goes again. What on earth are UAE Team Emirates doing?? 

KoM (Alto de la Colladiella)

1. Vine (UAD) 10pts
2. Frigo (IPT) 8pts
3. Poole (DFP) 6pts
4. Castrillo (EKP) 4pts

I did not see Max Poole (DFP) bridge the gap but the British rider is absolutely at the front and has now gone solo for the descent. At least, that's what the graphics suggest. 

100km to go

The average speed after an hour of racing is 39.8kph. Rapid racing so far. 

The leaders are now 20km from the bottom of the second climb of the day. The Alto de Santo Emiliano which is 5.6km to go with an average gradient of 4.9%. 

The attacks start over once again in the peloton. So many riders launching moves with the break looking slightly. Marc Soler (UAD) has finally made it to the front with Jay Vine(UAD) being the man to drop back. Pacher (GFC) also in the front group. 

Now Sivakov (UAD) attacks with Paret-Peintre (DAT) and Vlasov (RBH) marking it. The peloton have completely knocked the pace off. 

Kruijswijk (TVL) also in the gap as the riders start the second climb of the day, the Alto de Santo Emiliano. Lazkano (MOV), Martinez (RBH), Vine (UAD) and Kung (GFC) in the Sivakov (UAD) group. 

Back in the peloton, Mikel Landa's T Rex-Quickstep are chasing as Sivakov (UAD) is a bit of a danger in GC. 

80km to go

The two groups come together at the front. Jack Haig (TBV) and Bruno Armirail (DFP) also involved in this break. UAE Team Emirates now have three riders in the break. 

Four riders in the gap are Fortunato (AST), O. Rodriguez (IGD), Bennett (IPT) and the dropped Frigo (IPT). Thy are just 24" back on the leaders. 

Asgreen (SOQ) called back by Landa (SOQ) to do some work on the front of the peloton. Vine (UAD) and Soler (UAD) hammering the pace in the peloton.  

KoM (Alto de Santo Emiliano)

1. Vine (UAD) 3pts
2. Soler (UAD) 2pts
3. Martinez (RBH) 1pt

70km to go

The gap to the break drops below two minutes once again thanks to this brutal pace by T Rex-QuickStep. 

The pace continues to be ridden at an infernal pace. Average speed of 42.7kph and one and three quarter hours of racing. 

Now the race is just 5km away from the penultimate climb of the day and the second ascent of the Alto de la Colladiella with a bonus second sprint at the top of the climb. 

A change in the peloton sees Red Bull-Bora-Hansgorhe, T Rex-QuickStep, EF Education-EasyPost and Decathlon-AG2R all start working together as the break go onto the Alto de la Colladiella for the second time today. 

60km to go

The peloton are rapidly closing in on the break as the other GC teams are not letting UAE Team Emirates have it their way. 

Dropped from break

Marc Soler (UAD)

Looks like his disks are rubbing on his wheel at the front. He is back riding but that is frustrating for him. 

Dropped from break

Haig (TBV)
Fortunato (AST)
Meintjes (IWA)
Bennett (IPT)

Some super talented climbers unable to stay in the break. 

Soler (UAD) caught by the peloton. 

Sivakov (UAD) and Vine (UAD) now taking turns at the front of the break with no help from the others. This has ssen the gap go back above two minutes as well with just six riders left in the lead group and one, Stefan Kung (GFC), just off the back. 

KoM (Alto de la Colladiella)

1. Vine (UAD) 10pts 8"
2. Sivakov (UAD) 6pts 6"
3. Vlasov (RBH) 4pts 4"
4. Castrillo (EKP) 2pts
5. Armirail (GFC) 1pt 

The break now have 20km to the intermediate sprint in Pola de Lena. 

50km to go

The rain briefly came but now the race is over the other side of the climb the sun is back trying to break through. 

40km to go

Jay Vine (UAD) is now level on points with Wout Van Aert (TVL) in the KoM standings. However, Van Aert will hold onto it thanks to his better mountain top finish results. With the time gap now at 2'33" that is unlikely to change today. 

T Rex-QuickStep continue the chase behind of this seven man break. Brilliant ride by Stefan Küng (GFC) to get back onto the break. 

Through the intermediate sprint. Unsurprisingly, they do not contest for the points in the break. 

Sivakov (UAD) and Vine (UAD) are putting in a superb ride as they are holding T Rex-QuickStep at 2'48". But, how much will this damage their chances on the final climb. 

Stefan Küng (GFC) actually tried to go for the intermediate sprint but the UAE Team Emirates car came up and blocked the Swiss rider's acceleration to give bidons to Vine (UAD). Küng was absolutely furious. A hefty fine is likely incoming for the UAE Team Emirates DS. 

Just 10km to the bottom of the final climb, the Cuitu Negru. 18.9km at an average gradient of 7.4% with a max kick of 24% right in the final 5km of the climb. 

Bike change

Primož Roglič (RBH)

Just as Oier Lazkano starts working alongside T Rex-QuickStep for his Movistar leader, Enric Mas, at the front of the peloton. 

20km to go

Roglič (RBH) back in to the peloton along with two teammates, Dani Martinez and Roger Adria. Looks like it was a very deliberate bike change. He is now riding a one-by bike.

Onto the final climb they go! The Cuitu Negru. And that is that for Jay Vine (UAD). He sits up and swings off leaving Sivakov (UAD) all on his own. 

Bruno Armirail (DAT) has been dropped by the break. Riders swinging off from the break and the peloton all the time. Dani Martinez (RBH) being the latest to be dropped by the peloton. 

The early gradients are around 8% then there's a little step that goes down hill briefly. 5% after that but quickly into double figures before a bit more flat and downhill. Then... 24% awaits for the final 5km of the climb with the steepest point right at the end. 

According to some sources, Felix Gall (DAT), key man for the red jersey Ben O'Connor (DAT), is out of the back. 

Stefan Küng (GFC) now dropped properly with just Vlasov (RBH), Castrillo (EKP) and Pacher (GFC) being the only riders able to follow Sivakov (UAD). 

The only rider left with Ben O'Connor (DAT) in the peloton is Clément Berthet (DAT). 

Pacher (GFC) is distanced by the break. Leaving just three at the front of the race. 

10km to go

Pavel Sivakov (UAD) is still holding around three minutes on the T Rex-QuickStep led peloton. Aleksandr Vlasov (RBH) is following well as expected. But stage 12 winner, Pablo Castrillo (EKP) is showing why there are rumours of him joining Ineos Grenadiers as he is still looking good. 

Pavel Sivakov (UAD) continues to set a rapid pace in the break. Very impressive ride. However, Mattia Cattaneo (SOQ) has taken over the pace in the bunch seeing several riders distanced from the peloton and the gap plummet 35" between the break and pack. 

Onto one of the steeper sections now. 15% and Castrillo (EKP) is all over the bike as Sivakov (UAD) and Vlasov (RBH) still looking extremely smooth. 

The mountain top is covered in cloud apart from the very last few metres which are lit up in sunlight. Further down the climb, the riders are battling over this brutal ascent with 6km to go. 2'11" back to the Cattaneo (SOQ) led peloton. 

Attack

Mikel Landa (SOQ)
Ben O'Connor (DAT)

However, Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe are controlling the situation with Primož Roglič m=now moving through onto Landa's wheel. 

That acceleration by Landa (SOQ) has detonated the peloton with just over a handful of riders left in the GC group. 

5km to go

A gap of 1'55" between the break and the GC group. 

GC Group:

Kuss (TVL), Lipowitz (RBH), Mas (MOV), Carapaz (EFE), Gaudu (GFC), Roglič (RBH), Landa (SOQ) and O'Connor (DAT).

Lipowitz (RBH) now takes over the pacing for Roglič (RBH). But, Dunbar (JAY), Yates (UAD) and C. Rodriguez (IGD) get back in again. 

4km to go for the leaders and a gap of 2'01" between the leading trio and the GC group. 

Attack in break

Pablo Castrillo (EKP)

The young Spaniard launches with 3km to go onto the steepest part of the climb. Sivakov (UAD) and Vlasov (RBH) continue their pacing. 

Roglič (RBH) luking on O'Connor's (DAT) wheel. 

Sivakov (UAD) looking like he is still measuring a really good effort with Vlasov (RBH) on his wheel. But, Castrillo (EKP) still has a good gap. 

Lipowitz (RBH) upping the tempo for Roglič (RBH). Causing gaps with only O'Connor (DAT) able to follow the Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe duo. 

Red jersey dropped

Primož Roglič and Florian Lipowitz of Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe have dropped Ben O'Connor (DAT). This is the Slovenians hammer blow to take red into the final week. 

Primož Roglič (RBH) goes solo and has just over a minute to close to Vlasov (RBH) and 1'41" up to Castrillo (EKP). 

The fog has descended on the mountain and Castrillo (EKP) has 16" gap on Sivakov (UAD) and Vlasov (RBH). This is going to be so tight between the break. 

Sivakov (UAD) and Vlasov (RBH) reappear through the fog as they start closing back in on Castrillo (EKP). 

Attack in chase

Aleksandr Vlasov (RBH)

Further back, Enric Mas (MOV) catches Primož Roglič (RBH)! 

O'Connor (DAT) is refinding himself and is only 20" back on Primož Roglič (RBH) and Enric Mas (MOV).

Flamme Rouge!

Vlasov (RBH) catches Castrillo (EKP)!

Both riders in a world of pain. The steepest gradients come now! 24% gradient for these two gladiators. This is an incredible effort by both of these riders with 800 metres to go. 

Castrillo (EKP) finds something and manages a brief acceleration out of the saddle but they have done the steepest point and Vlasov (RBH) is on him. 

Enric Mas (MOV) is gapping Primož Roglič (RBH)! This isn't going as well as the Slovenian perhaps though. 

Attack

Pablo Castrillo (EKP) launches yet again! Aleksandr Vlasov (RBH) can follow but can he hold off the Russian rider. 

Mas (MOV) drops Roglič (RBH) and Castrillo (EKP) drops Vlasov (RBH)! Incredible racing. 

Pablo Castrillo WINS stage 15 of La Vuelta a España 2024! The Kern Pharma rider takes a magnificent victory. What an amazing ride. 

Primož Roglič (RBH) catches Enric Mas (MOV) on the line with Matthias Skjelmose (LTK) just behind. 

Ben O'Connor (DAT) holds onto red for another day and a very well deserved rest day. 

Stage 15 top 10

1. Pablos Castrillo (EKP) 3:45'51"
2. Aleksandr Vlasov (RBH) +12"
3. Pavel Sivakov (UAD) +31"
4. Enric Mas (MOV) +1'04"
5. Primož Roglič (RBH) S.T.
6. Mattias Skjelmose (LTK) +1'09"
7. Richard Carapaz (EFE) +1'13"
8. Sepp Kuss (TVL) +1'22"
9. Mikel Landa (SOQ) +1'27"
10. David Gaudu (GFC) +1'37"

General Classification after week two

1. Ben O'Connor (DAT) 60:19'22"
2. Primož Roglič (RBH) +43"
3. Enric Mas (MOV) +2'23"
4. Richard Carapaz (EFE) +2'44"
5. Mikel Landa (SOQ) +3'05"
6. Florian Lipowitz (RBH) +4'33"
7. David Gaudu (GFC) +4'39"
8. Carlos Rodríguez (IGD) +4'40"
9. Mattias Skjelmose (LTK) +4'51"
10. Pavel Sivakov (UAD) +5'12"

Our post race report is online and will be updated as more information comes in after a brutal stage... 

>>> Vuelta a España stage 15: Pablo Castrillo holds off Vlasov to claim second stage win on Cuitu Negru 

A very emotional moment for Castrillo (EKP)... Again!! 

The riders got to ride down to the team buses in a slightly different way after today's stage...

Pablo Castrillo (EKP) becomes the first Spanish rider to win two stages in one Vuelta since Alberto Contador 10 years ago. 

The jerseys going into the final rest day:

Red, General Classification - Ben O'Connor (DAT)
Green, Points - Wout Van Aert (TVL)
Polka dots, KoM - Wout Van Aert (TVL)*
White, U25 - Florian Lipowitz (RBH)

*Worn by - Jay Vine (UAD)