As the Vuelta a España headed back into the mountains and the summit finish at Calar Alto, it was Enric Mas (Movistar) who once again proved the strongest of the GC riders, adding more time to his overall lead with an attack 12km from the finish.
Red jersey hopefuls Felix Gall (Decathlon CMA CGM) and Primož Roglič (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) had no answer to Mas' move, with Mas cannily linking up with Movistar teammate from the break, Raúl García Pierna.
