Albasini claims stage 13 of Vuelta

Switzerland’s Michael Albasini handed HTC-Highroad their second Vuelta stage this edition by beating his fellow breakaway rivals in a sprint finish.

Stage 13 was a relatively short but mountainous 150 kilometre ride from Sarria to Ponferradaa in north west Spain.

The day’s action was animated by an early and large breakaway group which stayed out in front over all of the day’s gruelling climbs.

Frenchman David Moncoutie of Cofidis took enough points on the day’s five ascents to move into the mountain jersey.

But the day belonged to Albasini, who produced a devastating sprint finish to take the stage win.

Italian Eros Capecchi of the Liquigas team claimed second as Katusha’s Daniel Moreno of Spain rounded off the day’s podium.

The rest of the field crossed the line 1 minute and 32 seconds later with Bradley Wiggins of Team Sky easily defending his overall race lead. He is seven seconds clear of fellow Brit and Sky teammate Chris Froome.

Joe Allen

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