Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team rider Serge Pauwels — who made an original 32-rider breakaway that produced the stage winner of 142.2km La Vuelta a España Stage 20 on Saturday — finished 9th in the brutal final that included Angliru.
Kenny Elissonde (FDJ) won the stage, crossing the line solo after reaching the summit of 12.2km, 10.2% (max gradient 23%) Angliru and descending into the finish. It was a battle for the GC behind him, as Chris Horner (Radioshack-Leopard), who led the GC by just a few seconds going into the stage, battled back and forth with Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) in the final kilometers. He finally distanced Nibali on one of the steepest sections after Nibali repeatedly tried to drop him earlier on the climb. Horner finished 26" back from Elissonde, and Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) was 3rd after catching Nibali in the final meters. Both finished 53" back, putting Horner into very good position for the overall victory.
Pauwels finished 1'52" back with many of the top GC riders of the race. OPQS looks next to a final, 109.6km Stage on Sunday.
