Stage 16 is the most important of this year's Vuelta, featuring two Cat.1 climbs before a HC summit finish in Valgrande-Pajares.

Stage 16 result: 1. Cataldo, 2. De Gendt +7, 3. Rodriguez +2:39, 4. Contador +2:41, 5. Valverde +2:56, 6. Quintana +3:23, 7. Anton +4:06, 8. ten Dam +4:21, 9. Gesink +4:22.

Chris Froome is pedalling squares as he approaches the summit and crosses the line 5:10 down on the winner - that's more than two minutes lost to his rivals.

Rodriguez takes third place, 2:40 down on winner Cataldo. And Contador crosses two seconds back, plus will concede four bonus seconds as well.

Back with the main guns: Valverde has caught the two best riders in this year's race - but then Contador puts in another dig with 500m to go. But Rodriguez now takes up the reins - and remember, there are some bonus seconds available for third place...

De Gendt crosses the line six seconds back - he could not repeat his Stelvio heriocs.

Just one hundred metres for Cataldo! Here he comes... he pumps his fist and takes the win!

De Gendt is creeping back to Cataldo! This is cycling in slow motion!

Cataldo has 10 seconds on de Gendt and will take the win - the biggest of his career.

Valverde is starting to ride back on the wheel as Contador puts in yet another attack. But once again the red jersey had enough and manages to follow the white jersey.

Cataldo looks like death on wheels but he still has 20 metres on de Gendt inside the final kilometre.

Valverde can't deal with this steep 23% part - but Rodriguez is right on his shoulder and is not giving him any space.

Quintana attacks from the chasing quartet! Movistar did this yesterday, paving the way for Valverde... Contador digs in to reply, and reels in the Colombian. And then passes by!

Cataldo is begging to distance de Gendt!

Cataldo leads de Gendt up a fiercely steep 23% section. This is a real battle of attrition.

The leaders are onto the final segment with gradients as high as 22%. The fans are out in their masses, but still they ride together.

Valverde doesn't manage to drop the others and he's back with Rodriguez, Contador and Quintana.

The Froome group is 45 second back. And this is impressive: Valverde puts in an attack himself and opens up a small gap.

Back with the leaders, de Gendt and Cataldo are still together as they pass the 3km-to-go banner. They are 2km ahead of the chasing four riders.

Great stuff from Valverde and Quintana: the Movistar pair are returning onto the wheels of Contador and Rodriguez.

Valverde has popped. Quintana is waiting for him and will try and pace him back. Rodriguez looks to be in a bit of pain behind Contador.