Tactical Rui Costa plays cards to perfection and takes thrilling breakaway victory on stage 15 of the Vuelta a Espana

On another successful day for the breakaway at the 2023 Vuelta a Espana, Rui Costa prevailed from an elite group to take the stage 15 victory in Lekunberri.

The high mountains have marked the second week, but many riders will get a new opportunity to come fight for the win. Stage 15 of the Vuelta a Espana is rather hilly however it is quite an open day where many types of riders can come to the front.

After an immense fight for the break that lasted half the stage, 15 riders finally managed to snap the elastic and among them was the likes of Remco Evenepoel, Andreas Kron, Lennard Kamna and Santiago Buitrago. Even then though the racing didn't settle down.

The only jersey Evenepoel is yet to wear at this Vuelta is the points jersey and perhaps fearing another stage win could bring him right into that race, Kaden Groves' Alpecin Deceuninck came to the front of the peloton, leading the chase.

This in turn, sparked a reaction from the break with both Buitrago and Chris Hamilton attempting to attack but ultimately in vain.

To prevent further attacks coming, Evenepoel decided to take matters into his own hands and powered from the front of the break at an incredibly high pace.

At the intermediate sprint, Evenepoel decided not to contest for the points with Groves's teammate Jimmy Janssens. Following the sprint, Janssens maintained his attack and was soon joined by Buitrago and Rui Costa.

As Costa and Buitrago began to exchange words, Kamna managed to bridge across whilst Evenepoel seemed to be paying for his efforts the prior day.

The leading trio had 30 seconds advantage over the chasers heading into the final 5km but there was simply no coordination between them.

As Kamna attacked and looked to be riding clear to victory however, he overdid a corner and found himself in the grass leaving Costa and Buitrago up ahead. As they stalled though, Kamna managed to return to the front of the race.

Into the final kilometre and it looked like a three-up track sprint as the chasers neared ever closer. Buitrago was the first to go but at the line it was the former world champion Rui Costa who took the win.