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Rodriguez into the lead in Vuelta, Dumoulin retains options after stage 16

Xinhua, September 8, 2015 Adjust font size:

Joaquin Rodriguez (Katusha) moved into the lead of the Vuelta de Espana (Tour of Spain) cycle race following another epic stage on Monday.

The 16th stage of the Vuelta saw the race take in seven classified mountains, finishing with a first category and a special category climb.

Although the stage was won by Frank Schleck, who gave the Trek team their third stage win of the race after the veteran rider from Luxemburg showed himself to be the strongest of an eight man group of escapees, the real drama came behind as Rodriguez was able to claw two seconds off overnight leader Fabio Aru (Astana) in the final meters.

That allowed the popular Spaniard to leapfrog Aru into the lead with Rafael Majka 1 minute and 34 seconds behind.

However, the top-three will be worried by the fact that Tom Dumoulin was able to cling on during the final time.

Although the Dutch rider is 1.51 off the lead, he will consider that still leaves them with an excellent chance of winning the race given that he is a much stronger time trialist than Rodriguez, Aru or Majka.

He will fancy his chances of returning to red on Wednesday's 17th stage, which is a time trial of almost 39 kilometers around Burgos, following Tuesday's rest dat. Endit