In a stunning reversal of fortunes on the punishing slopes of the Alto de Moncalvillo, Australian climber Jay Vine seized a magnificent solo victory on Stage 6 of the Vuelta a España, while the race's narrative was ripped apart behind him.
Vine (UAE Team Emirates), attacking from a reduced group of favourites with over five kilometres remaining of the fearsome first-category climb, displayed breathtaking strength and nerve to time-trial his way to the line. His audacious move left the pre-race favourites looking at each other, and none could muster a response.
Vingegaard's Title Defence Unravels
The drama, however, was unfolding in the group Vine had left behind. Defending champion and race leader Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike), who had looked imperious in the opening week, suffered a catastrophic collapse. The Danish superstar was abruptly dropped from the group of favourites, his hopes of a Vuelta-Giro double seemingly evaporating in the Spanish heat.
Vingegaard haemorrhaged time, eventually crossing the line a devastating three minutes and 44 seconds behind the stage winner, plummeting down the general classification.
A New Young Leader Emerges
As Vingegaard faltered, a new star confirmed his arrival. Johannes Staune-Mittet, Vingegaard's own 22-year-old teammate at Visma-Lease a Bike, proved the strongest of the chasing pack. The Norwegian prodigy finished second on the stage, 25 seconds behind Vine, a performance powerful enough to wrestle the coveted jersey rojo from his leader's shoulders.
Staune-Mittet now leads the general classification, becoming the unexpected new focal point of his team's strategy. Vine's heroic effort propelled him to second overall, just 19 seconds adrift, setting the stage for a thrilling battle in the high mountains to come.
The Vuelta a España has been blown wide open, proving once again that in Grand Tour cycling, no lead is safe and glory can be snatched in the most dramatic fashion.
