Evenepoel sprints to victory to extend Vuelta lead

Remco Evenepoel sprinted to victory on stage 18 of the Vuelta a Espana to extend his overall race lead.

The Belgian accelerated past Spain’s Enric Mas after they caught Dutch rider Robert Gesink 400m from the mountain-top finish on the Alto de Piornal.

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Australia’s Jay Vine had to abandon and was taken away in an ambulance after an early crash on the 192km stage.

Hugh Carthy was the highest-placed British rider to finish in 24th, more than three minutes down on Evenepoel.

Friday sees the peloton tackle a hilly 138km route around Talavera de la Reina before Saturday’s penultimate stage, the mountainous 181km run from Moralzarzal to Puerto de Navacerrada.