Sixth stage of the women's Vuelta , it goes from Castro Urdiales to Laredo for a total of 106.1km. Van Vleuten is unleashed right from the early stages : she attacks the Vollering red jersey in the initial stretch of the plain and, on the first GPM of the day, takes away a small group with Magnaldi, Realini, Labous and Muzic ; Vollering at the top of this climb already pays almost 2'. The world champion attacks again as soon as the descent is over and only an extraordinary Gaia Realini manages to keep up her pace. On Puerto de Campo El Hayal, second and last climb of the day, the two climb together continuing to gain on their rivals: the trio behind them climb the hill 50” behind while the red jersey group loses 1'45”. Van Vleuten and Realini manage to keep a good part of the lead and go to battle for the stage victory in a spectacular sprint at the photo finish .   The group in the red jersey reaches 1'04” with Van Vleuten becoming the new red jersey with 1'11” on Vollering. Tomorrow last and decisive stage with arrival on the hard climb of Lagos de Covadonga.

ARRIVAL ORDER:

1       REALINI Gaia Trek-Segafredo 02:49:23

2       VAN VLEUTEN Annemiek Movistar Team + 00

3       ADEGEEST Loes FDJ-SUEZ + 01:04

4       PERSICO Silvia UAE Team ADQ + 01:04

5       VOLLERING Demi Team SD Worx + 01:04

6       GARCIA Mavi Liv Racing TeqFind + 01:04

7       MUZIC Avoid FDJ-SUEZ + 01:04

8 NIEWIADOMA Katarzyna CANYON//SRAM Racing + 01:04

9        MARKUS Riejanne Team Jumbo-Visma + 01:04

10     SANTESTEBAN Ane Team Jayco-AlUla + 01:04

Photo: Sprint Cycling Agency