Vincenzo Nibali kept his overall lead despite struggling in the Tour of Spain’s final Pyrenees stage yesterday, a 146.8km journey from Graus won by Frenchman Warren Barguil
The Italian lost touch with his main title rivals 2km from the summit of the Sallent de Gallego climb at the end of Stage 16, while second-placed American Chris Horner gained 22 seconds on the race leader.
Ireland's Nicolas Roche was 22nd on the day, two minutes and three seconds behind Barguil, and remains sixth overall, 3:43 down on Nibali.
Rest day
Today is a rest day and Nibali will take a slender 28- second advantage over Horner into Stage 17, with third-placed Spaniard Alejandro Valverde having also closed the gap to one minute 14 seconds.
Nibali said that being in front for 11 of the last 16 days was starting to take its toll.
“Having this jersey is getting very wearisome, with all the media responsibilities and a lot of time spent travelling between stages,” the Astana rider told reporters.
“This was a very difficult finish, very windy at the top of the climb. I’m not really doubting my strength, I’m still optimistic, but the rest day will be very important for me tomorrow.”
Horner, 41, became the oldest-ever Grand Tour leader when he held first position for two days in the first week.
Yesterday, a rider 20 years his junior captured his second stage win of the race. Part of a break by 17 riders, Argos rider Barguil made a solo move 10-km from the finish before being caught by Rigoberto Uran of Colombia.
Team Sky’s Uran attempted to overpower his rival but the Frenchman won by centimetres. Pole Bartosz Huzarksi was third, three seconds back
