LA CAMPERONA, Spain — Ryder Hesjedal of Canada won the mountainous 14th stage of the Spanish Vuelta on Saturday.
The 33-year-old from Victoria, a former Giro d’Italia winner riding for Garmin Sharp, edged Oliver Zaugg in the final metres of the summit ascent to claim the 201-kilometre ride from Santander to La Camperona featuring two category-one climbs.
“To win today meant a lot to me, especially because I won my first Grand Tour stage at the 2009 Vuelta,” Hesjedal said. “It was an amazing day and a special one for me and the team.”
Alberto Contador held onto the red leader’s jersey for a fourth straight day.
According to provisional results, Contador increased his lead to 42 seconds over nearest rival Alejandro Valverde, who finished more than 22 seconds behind the five-time grand tour winner.
Sunday’s 15th stage is a 152-kilometre ride from Oviedo to the Lagos de Covadonga special-category peak.
The 21-stage races ends on Sept. 14.