La Vuelta Stage 18: Nielsen Sprints To Claim Stage

The day ended with a sprint finish after the breakaway was reeled in with plenty of time to spare. It was the Great Dane of Orica Bike Exchange, Magnus Cort Nielsen, who claimed it. At only 23 years old he was clearly delighted. "It's a big dream come true," he said after the race. 

The Orica boys congratulate each other. Great team spirit with those guys

The Orica boys congratulate each other. Great team spirit with those guys

It was a closely fought bunch sprint with a tricky approach involving lots of roundabouts and 90 degree turns. As ever IAM Cycling were at the fore. What a Vuelta they've had despite facing a bleak future!

Of course, this meant that there was no change to the GC, so Froome still trails Quintana by over three and a half minutes. He'll be doing his best to claw that time back tomorrow on the time trial, but it'd be a brave man that placed a bet on him. On Saturday we have a pretty gruesome looking mountain finish, but the little Colombian has looked imperious on every stage that the Vuelta has thrown at him, especially mountain stages. 

Carlton kirby quote of the day: "The first rule of helicopter club: you need another helicopter to film a helicopter."