Quintana ambushes Froome to deliver short sharp shock to Vuelta

Nairo Quintana and Alberto Contador directed an ambush of Chris Froome on stage 15 of the Vuelta de Espana (Tour of Spain) cycle race to extend Quintana's lead in the overall classification of the race to an almost decisive margin.

Quintana and Contador were part of an important group of riders which launched a surprise attack after just 8 kilometers and were able to open a two minute gap over the main group, which containing Froome.

The British rider was totally isolated with just one member of his Sky team in the main group and needed the help of other teams to help chase down the breakaway.

The 118 kilometer stage, coming after Saturday's marathon stage, was expected to be a parade until the final climb of the day, but instead became a decisive battle that smashed the race to pieces as Quintana and Contador's group opened up a gap of 3 minutes, while Froome desperately looked for allies to keep in touch.

The gap had closed to around 2 minutes at the bottom of the final climb, where Quintana looked to put as much time as possible into Froome, who had started the day 54 seconds behind him, but who finished 2.39 behind on the stage to now lie over three and a half minutes off the leader.

Quintana was beaten in a final sprint by Gianluca Brambilla but with one hand on the Vuelta title, he won't be too disappointed by that, while big questions will have to be asked in the Sky camp over how Froome could have been left so exposed for so long. Endit