Before the Anglirú, the Bola del Mundo, Los Machucos or El Gamoniteiru were Los Lagos de Covadonga. 40 years ago, the Asturian mountain was climbed for the first time in the men's Tour and taught cyclists to know their limits. It left them exhausted, without strength, without reserves and soon became a mythical peak in the Spanish race. Annemiek van Vleuten had to resort to all possible epic to resist the climb to the Lakes and the attack of his great rival and compatriot, Vollering. The world champion saved the women's Vuelta by just 9 seconds in a heroic finish.
The Movistar runner was on the ropes. She was touched, very touched, but she did not sink. The leader was left alone, without references, and in crisis but she knew how to dose herself to resist. In her case, resisting was winning. Win the third Lap followed by it.
Vollering was on fire, with Saturday's controversy as fuel, wanting revenge with each pedal stroke. She didn't even need to stand up on the bike to give her all and put the rest in trouble. The queen of spring is in spectacular shape and, upset about the way she lost the red jersey, she wanted to have the last laugh. Not even having to make up more than a minute deterred her. Her determination increased the solidity of the leader.
6 kilometers from the finish line, after the La Huesera straight, Van Vleuten was seen in trouble for the first time. He pulled himself together. But a kilometer later he stayed. The Mirador de la Reina choked after seven days without rest.
Vollering, full power, went with Realini, the petite climber. The leader quickly lost sight of them. She didn't know if they were close or far. The fog didn't help her. She played a trick on him. She didn't see further. She had no reference to where her rivals were going.
With two and a half kilometers to go, the distance exceeded 30 seconds for the first time. It seemed that everything was going to hell, that Van Vleuten was about to give up. Vollering continued to increase the rent, discounting seconds. The SD Works rider pushed downhill towards Lake Enol (at over 70 km/h) and also dropped Realini. She won the stage - she has won the two high finals - and only raised one hand so as not to waste time. She has been the strongest on the mountain.
The clock was ticking. But then, like a ghost coming back to light, he saw a shadow and then the red jersey, coming back because he hadn't wanted to hit rock bottom. Her pride rescued her. She entered third. Van Vleuten, used to winning by crushing, saved victory by a breath, by nine seconds. But she wouldn't give up her scepter. A finish worthy of a combative Vuelta to the last meter.
