Adam Yates wins with 58km(!) solo on stage 9 of the 2024 Vuelta a Espana, launching back into Red Jersey contention

Not for the first time this Vuelta a Espana, the general classification has been completely overhauled by breakaway riders gaining big time on the group of the Red Jersey. The biggest benefactor this time around, stage winner Adam Yates who is now right back into Red Jersey winning contention as a result.

A massive group of over 20 riders went clear early on stage 9. Among the lead group, the notable names of Wout van Aert, Jay Vine, Adam Yates, David Gaudu, Chris Harper and Max Poole among others. Best placed GC wise was Gaudu, starting the day 6:30 down on Ben O'Connor.

On the first climb of the day, Richard Carapaz already lit up the peloton behind attacking clear with more than 87km still to go and the breakaway more than 4 minutes up the road. In the break meanwhile, Marc Soler was setting a brutal pace on the front, with UAE Team Emirates teammates Vine and Yates locked into his wheel, with many others in the lead group cracking hard behind.

As the headed to the Alto de Hazallanas for the first of two ascents, just Vine, Yates and Gaudu led the race, with Carapaz making big moves behind to close the gap and the peloton still around five minutes down. Sensing perhaps the Carapaz was getting closer, Yates decided to go himself with over 58km to go on the stage. Having started the day 9:27 down overall, the Brit was potentially riding himself back into GC contention.

As Yates began the final ascent of the Alto de Hazallanas, his advantage was over 2 minutes to Gaudu, Vine and Carapaz, with the peloton now six minutes down the road. On the slopes things were happening in the GC group as Enric Mas went on the attack, with both Primoz Roglic and Ben O'Connor unable to follow.

At the top of the final climb of the day, the stage win was assured for Yates barring any incident on the descent, with Carapaz a considerable distance down the road. Mas meanwhile, had gained a minute on O'Connor, Roglic and the rest of the remaining Red Jersey group going into the descent.

After all his hard work however, there was almost a complete disaster for Enric Mas on the descent. Although he thankfully managed to stay upright, the Spaniard almost catapulted off road and saw him chain pop off. With his heart surely beating 100 miles an hour, the Movistar Team leader was creditable able to quickly get his chain back on and get back to Jay Vine's wheel, restarting his massive effort towards the finale.

There was no such drama for Yates however, with the Brit powering to a first ever Vuelta a Espana stage win. The ticking clock would then decide just how high up the general classification he had launched himself.

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