Veteran Canadian climber Michael Woods claimed a remarkable victory on stage 13 of the Vuelta a España, showcasing his strength on a challenging 176-kilometer route from Lugo to Puerto de Ancares. The Israel–Premier Tech rider made his decisive move 4.5 kilometers from the finish, breaking away from the lead group on the final of four categorized climbs. This climb featured sections with a punishing 15% gradient, and Woods crossed the finish line 45 seconds ahead of Switzerland’s Mauro Schmid, with Spain’s Marc Soler taking third place.
This victory marked Woods' fourth grand tour stage win and his third in the Vuelta a España, adding to his impressive career achievements. Reflecting on his win, the 37-year-old expressed his joy, particularly given the challenges he faced earlier in the season, including mechanical issues and untimely crashes. "I'm over the moon," Woods shared with Eurosport, describing the final stretch of the race as a grueling but rewarding effort.
Meanwhile, the overall race saw significant shifts as Primoz Roglic, riding for Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe, drastically reduced Ben O’Connor’s lead. Starting the day with a 3-minute 16-second advantage, O’Connor, who rides for AG2R-Decathlon, struggled in the later stages and lost nearly two minutes to Roglic. This marked the second time in recent stages that O’Connor had faltered under pressure, casting doubt on his ability to maintain his lead.
As the race heads into its 14th stage, the longest at 200 kilometers, O’Connor’s hold on the red jersey is increasingly precarious. With his lead now down to 1 minute 21 seconds, the Australian faces a tough challenge ahead, especially with eight stages remaining. Roglic, eyeing a potential fourth Vuelta title, remains cautious, emphasizing the importance of taking each day as it comes while acknowledging the physical toll of the demanding race.
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