Keukeleire wins 12th Vuelta stage, Quintana maintains lead

Colombia’s Nairo Quintana. (Christophe Ena/AP)

BILBAO, Spain — Jens Keukeleire of Belgium won the 12th stage of the Spanish Vuelta, while Nairo Quintana maintained his overall lead on Thursday.

Keukeleire, riding for Orica BikeExchange, used a late burst to pull away and win his first stage at a grand tour by over two bike lengths.

He completed the hilly 193-kilometre (120-mile) route that traversed four ascents between Los Corrales de Buelna and Bilbao in 4 1/2 hours.

Quintana protected his 54-second lead over Chris Froome, before the race enters three consecutive stages in the Pyrenees Mountains.

The two frontrunners held off from attacking one another after back-to-back duels on summit finishes, and crossed the line in the large lead group.

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