Froome takes Vuelta stage victory as love affair with Pena Cabarga continues

Five years on, his love affair with the Cantabrian climb continues as he claimed his first stage win of this year's Vuelta a Espana on Wednesday.

Froome (Team Sky) broke free of the peloton alongside race leader Nairo Quintana (Movistar) with 800m to go of the 168.6km stage, defeating his Colombian rival in a sprint to the line to move into second overall, just 54 seconds behind leader Quintana.

Froome's ambition to become only the third rider to win the Tour de France and Vuelta a Espana in the same season continues, but Quintana's Movistar team-mate Alejandro Valverde remains hot on his heels in third place, just nine seconds back.

A challenge awaits the Rio 2016 Olympic Games bronze medallist, with Quintana ready for a head-to-head challenge as the race continues to pass through the mountains over the coming days.

But for the time being, the Brit was keen to revel in his second victory at Pena Carbarga in five years.

"I have got some special memories from 2011 here, but today, just to add to that is an incredible feeling," said Froome.

"Definitely Quintana is really strong at the moment and he has the leader's jersey. I'm just trying to do as much as I can day by day now, and I hope that obviously I can keep getting closer to him.

"I want as much time, he wants as much time – that's what makes the race exciting. It's good that we're in this position."

Sportsbeat 2016