MADRID, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- Primoz Roglic (Jumbo Visma) was crowned the winner of the Vuelta de Espana for the second year in succession on Sunday.
Roglic's win by just 24 seconds ahead of Richard Carapaz (Ineos Grenadiers) helped compensate for his dramatic defeat in the Tour de France in September when he lost the lead on the penultimate day of the event.
The Slovenian survived a desperate attack by Carapaz on Saturday's last mountain stage, and although Carapaz shaved 21 seconds off Roglic's lead, he was able to cling on with some help from Movistar's Enric Mas.
Movistar's help for Roglic was controversial, with some viewing it as an act of revenge on Carapaz, who broke his contract with the team to join Ineos a year ago, taking Costa Rica's Andre Amador with him.
Sunday's stage, which ended with several circuits of the center of Madrid, was traditionally a welcome parade for the rivals and decided by a bunch sprint with few opportunities for time differences, and that again proved to be the case.
Pascual Ackermann won the bunch sprint on the final day by around a hand's width ahead of Sam Bennett (Decueninick Quick-Step) while Roglic crossed the line along with his teammates.
Carapaz finished second overall while Hugh Carthy (Education First) claimed an excellent third place for his efforts over the past three weeks. Enditem
