Quintana wins gruelling 10th stage to reclaim Vuelta lead

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

LAGOS DE COVADONGA, Spain — Nairo Quintana retook the lead of the Spanish Vuelta after leaving title rivals behind on the final grueling ascent to win Monday’s mountainous 10th stage.

Chris Froome fell back early on the special category climb to the Lagos de Covadonga summit, but the British rider recovered to finish third behind Robert Gesink.

Quintana won back the red leader’s jersey which he first took after the eighth stage but ceded to David de la Cruz on Sunday.

Alberto Contador stuck with Quintana until the final 4 kilometres (2.4 miles) when the three-time Vuelta winner fell behind, finishing behind Froome and Alejandro Valverde

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