Poor Alejandro Valverde got a reminder that there are no easy stages in a major grand tour. If you look back, the Vuelta is probably the most punishing of all them. Almost every year, some major contender gets caught out on a windswept section, or misses a key move. I really thought Valverde might win this one, but he got a little too complacent coming over a “meaningless” cat-2. Some attacks, some rain, next thing you know he’s nearly 4 minutes down….Ah well, maybe next year.
