In a spectacular display of raw power and tactical brilliance, Spanish sensation Juan Ayuso surged to a stunning victory on Stage 12 of the Vuelta a España, breaking Spanish hearts in a nail-biting sprint finish against compatriot Carlos Romo.
The 21-year-old UAE Team Emirates prodigy unleashed a perfectly timed acceleration in the final metres of the gruelling 160km mountain stage from Oviedo to León, pipping Romo (Equipo Kern Pharma) at the line to claim his first Grand Tour stage win of the season.
A Tactical Masterclass on the Final Climb
The stage was decided on the demanding Alto del Gamoniteiro, a brutal first-category climb that shattered the peloton. Ayuso demonstrated his class by staying with the favourites while Romo made a daring, long-range attack from the breakaway.
Romo, the plucky underdog, had built a seemingly unassailable lead after breaking away early. He bravely held on over the summit with a 90-second advantage, descending like a man possessed in a desperate bid for a fairytale victory.
The Agonising Pursuit and Dramatic Finish
What followed was a heart-stopping pursuit. Ayuso’s group, containing all the main General Classification contenders, organised a furious chase on the flat run-in to León. The gap melted away agonisingly slowly, setting up a dramatic finale.
With just under two kilometres remaining, the catch was made. Yet Romo, displaying incredible resilience, refused to surrender and even launched his own sprint. It was only in the final 50 metres that Ayuso’s superior power told, edging ahead to take the win by half a wheel length.
General Classification Shake-Up
While the stage win provided the day’s fireworks, the battle for the red jersey intensified behind them. Defending champion Primoz Roglic (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) finished safely in the chasing group, but his main rival, Aleksandr Vlasov, was not so fortunate.
Vlasov, who started the day second overall, cracked on the final climb and haemorrhaged over two minutes. This significant time loss effectively ends his challenge for the overall title, promoting Roglic's teammates Dani Martínez and Lennard Kämna in the standings.
Ayuso’s magnificent victory not only marks a personal triumph but also reignites Spanish passion in this year’s Vuelta, proving that the future of Spanish cycling is in spectacularly talented hands.
