LottoNL-Jumbo’s George Bennett finished 27th in the short, but tough 15th stage of the Vuelta a España today to Aramón Formigal and remained 12th overall going into the final week. Gianluca Brambilla (Etixx - Quickstep) won the thrilling stage battle ahead of Nairo Quintana (Movistar), who gained time for his overall lead.

The stage began quickly with Nairo Quintana and Alberto Contador launching surprise attacks. The two GC riders caught team Sky with Chris Froome, second overall, off guard. The 14-man group put over two minutes on Froome’s group, which included Bennett.

Sliced
"The stage began with an escape of star riders," said Sports Director Addy Engels. "They sliced the peloton into three groups. We had George in the second group, but all the other men missed out and finished the stage in the gruppetto of 90 riders."

Whopping speed
The riders covered a whopping 45.7 kilometres in the first hour. The fight for the red jersey was in full swing and no one wanted to give up. Bennett held strongly with Froome and lost just over three minutes to winner Brambilla.

12th
"König (Team Sky) fell out of the top of the standings and De La Cruz (Etixx – Quickstep) moved up, so George remains 12th, which was great after yesterday's stage. Remember, he made the breakaway yesterday with Gesink and burned a lot of energy.”

Tomorrow, the Vuelta will continue with a 156-kilometre stage that includes a flat finish to Peñíscola.