MADRID, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- Simon Yates (Mitcheton-Scott) assured that he will be the winner of the 2018 Vuelta de Espana (Tour of Spain) cycling race with a third-place finish in the penultimate stage of the race on Saturday.
Yates was well-supported by his brother Adam throughout a short but incredibly tough 97.3-kilometer stage in Andorra, which included a third and second category climb, along with three first category and a special category climb, which left the riders without a moment of respite.
The Astana team, working for Miguel Angel Lopez, imposed a rapid pace in the early stages, while Movistar tried to work for Alejandro Valverde, who began in second place, and Nairo Quintana.
Although Lopez and Quintana escaped on the penultimate climb, Simon Yates and Enric Mas (Quick-Step Floors) were able to chase them down and with Mas and Lopez attacked on the final climb, Yates was happy to let them go, finishing 23 seconds behind, knowing he had done enough to virtually assure the overall triumph on Sunday.
Mas and Lopez played cat and mouse over the final 200 meters with Mas the stronger of the two to claim the stage in just under three hours.
Valverde was the biggest loser on the day as he ran out of energy on the last climb, losing his place in the top three with Mas moving into second and Lopez into third.
Sunday's 21st and final stage is a 100.9 kilometer stage from Alcorcon to Madrid ending in a sprint finish in the center of the capital, before Yates is crowned as champion.
