Vuelta a Espana 2021 - Rafal Majka wins Stage 15 with stunning 90-kilometre solo effort

ByTom Owen

Updated 29/08/2021 at 17:37 GMT

The veteran Polish UAE Team Emirates rider took control of the Stage with a hefty 90km to go and finished 1 minute 27 seconds ahead of Steven Kruijswijk (Jumbo-Visma) who came in second. Chris Hamilton (Team DSM) was third. Odd Christian Eiking retains the red jersey. You can watch La Vuelta live and ad-free on the Eurosport app and Eurosport.co.uk.

Rafal Majka claimed a comfortable Stage 15 win at the Vuelta a Espana after a tremendous solo effort in the mountains.

The UAE Team Emirates rider seized control of the stage with around 90 kilometres to go after distancing Fabio Aru on the second climb of the day, the Puerto de Pedro Bernardo.

Polish veteran Majka, 31, finished ahead of Steven Kruijswijk (Jumbo-Visma) in second and Chris Hamilton (Team DSM) in third.

Vuelta a España

‘Roglic didn’t look particularly comfortable’ – Lloyd on lack of Stage 15 ‘fireworks’

04/09/2022 at 17:27

• As it happened: Vuelta a Espana Stage 15 – Majka crushes it from 90km out, no GC changes

Odd Christian Eiking retained the red jersey after a fairly lifeless day in the general classification.

One spark of excitement did come towards the end of the stage, courtesy of Adam Yates. The Lancastrian skipped clear of the red jersey group and succeeded in stealing 15 seconds from the other riders in the GC top ten.

'I won it for for my father' - Majka dedicates Stage 15 win to late father

Majka's exploits secured him a haul of 28 mountains points, catapulting him into third in that competition. Romain Bardet (Team DSM) still leads with 50 points, with Damiano Caruso (Bahrain Victorious) second on 31.

Egan Bernal (Ineos) continues in the white jersey, while Fabio Jakobsen (Deceuninck QuickStep) comfortably beat the time cut and retained green.

Jonathan Narvaez (Ineos) abandoned the race today mid-stage, while his compatriot Jonathan Caicedo (EF Education First Nippo) did not start. That makes three Ecuadorians leaving the race in the space of 24 hours, with Richard Carapaz departing yesterday.

Vuelta a España: Stage 15 highlights as Majka's solo effort from 90km secures victory

- - -

You can watch La Vuelta live and ad-free on the Eurosport app and Eurosport.co.uk. Download the Eurosport app for iOS and Android now. You can also watch the most comprehensive live & ad-free racing on GCN+. Go deeper and get interactive with live polls & quizzes, plus rider profiles, race updates, results & more – plus stream exclusive cycling documentaries.

Vuelta a España

'I'm here, I'm ready' - Roglic says he is fully prepared for La Vuelta

00:01:29

|

18/08/2022 at 17:56

Vuelta a España

'I've come back to racing in a good condition' - Yates ahead of La Vuelta

00:00:58

|

18/08/2022 at 17:19

Vuelta a España

'Pretty keen to start' - O'Connor hoping for top five finish at La Vuelta

00:00:57

|

18/08/2022 at 17:14