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Overall leader Primoz Roglic of Slovenia
retained his 39-second lead over Ecuador's Richard Carapaz as
both riders crossed the line along with Philipsen in an 84-man
peloton, meaning no change to the general classification
standings.
Italian rider Mattia Cattaneo launched a solo attack from the
breakaway group with 30km remaining and at one point had a
90-second lead but was reeled in during the final phase of the
stage.
UAE Team Emirates' Philipsen, meanwhile, waited before attacking
German Pascal Ackermann in the uphill finish and kept in front
before crossing the line for his first Grand Tour win, joyfully
punching the air before embracing his team mates.
"It's amazing. I can't describe how happy I am with this
victory. It means a lot to me. I've been waiting all the Vuelta
for the right moment and today this moment was unexpected,' he
said.
Roglic was just glad the punishing stage was over after tackling
unforgiving conditions, made worse by the Vuelta being moved
from its traditional place in the calendar from the end of the
Spanish summer to winter due to coronavirus disruption.
"It was a hard day," he said. "I'm really happy that now it is
behind us. I don't know how enjoyable it was. It was a hard
pace... fast all day long and the cold and rain. A big and tough
day is behind us," .
Friday's stage from Salamanca to Ciudad Rodrigo is the last of
three consecutive hilly routes but is far shorter than
Thursday's stage at 162km.
The race is set to be decided in Saturday's mountain stage
before the procession into Madrid on Sunday.
(Reporting by Richard Martin; Editing by Ken Ferris)
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