Kessiakoff Wins Vuelta Time Trial, Rodriguez Keeps Red

Fredrik Kessiakoff turned in the ride of his career to beat favorites Chris Froome, Alberto Contador, and Alejandro Valverde in the Vuelta a España Stage 11 time trial.

The Asana rider set the winning time of 52:36 halfway through the session, and had to sit and watch while the big names made their runs. His time held up by 17 seconds over Contador and 39 seconds over Froome.

“I knew that I could be really close to the favorites like Contador and Froome. Now I am just really relieved that I could pull it off and win the stage,” Kessiakoff told Eursport. “I’ve been thinking about this stage for a few days so I came here focused and ready to suffer. I am happy I can walk away with the win.”

Joaquim Rodriguez was the surprise of the stage, finishing seventh, 1:16 behind and keeping the race lead by one second. The Movistar rider had predicted he would lose two or three minutes.

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