Roche wins Team Sky's first stage of Vuelta a España as Dumoulin preserves narrow lead

Nicolas Roche earned the second Grand Tour stage win of his career ©Getty Images

Ireland’s Nicolas Roche earned Team Sky’s first stage victory of the 2015 Vuelta a España, seeing off the threat of Spain’s Haimar Zubeldia in the closing stages of stage 18 in Riaza.

Following the start of the 204 kilometres stage in Roa a large breakaway group of 25 riders was established, including Roche and Zubeldia, and after their lead had risen to nearly six minutes it was clear the move would stay away for the duration of the day.

With the end of the Vuelta now in sight, however, the general classification hopefuls launched several attacks throughout the mountainous route, with the Italian rider Fabio Aru proving to be the most aggressive of the potential race winners.

The Astana rider, just three seconds behind The Netherlands’ Tom Dumoulin at the start of the day, made repeated attempts to gain time on his rival but the Dutchman held strong to the challenge to maintain his hold of the red jersey.

His other major rival, Spain’s Joaquim Rodriquez, also aimed to claw back time on Dumoulin as, with nearly 35 kilometres left to race, he joined team-mate Angel Vicioso in attacking the 24-year-old, only for the endeavour to prove fruitless as they were hauled back in.

Tom Dumoulin held off attacks from Fabio Aru and Joaquim Rodriquez to maintain his race lead ©Getty Images

While Dumoulin was fending off attacks from his rivals as they approached the finish, Roche cleverly slipped away from his breakaway companions on the Puerto de la Quesera with 10km left.

The Irishman was caught by Zubeldia before entering Riaza, but the son of two-time Grand Tour winner Stephen had enough energy left to outsprint his rival to earn his second career victory at the Vuelta, crossing in 5 hours 03min 59sec.

Due to the various attacks from the general classification contenders they had gained considerable time on Roche and his former breakaway companions during the closing kilometres of the stage and eventually rolled in just 35 seconds behind the winner.

With no change to the time gaps in the top three, Dumoulin preserved his narrow three second lead over Aru, while Rodriquez’s challenge appears to be faltering as he remains 1:15 behind the Dutch rider with only three stages left.

Dumoulin will have been relieved to have finished the day with his advantage intact, but will undoubtedly be put under pressure during tomorrow’s 185km stage from Medina del Campo to Avila.