German sprint specialist John Degenkolb won his fourth stage of this year’s Tour of Spain on Wednesday when he took the 17th, a 190.7 kilometres ride from Ortigeira to La Coruna.
The 25-year-old’s victory — which sees him move to within one of the total he won on the 2012 edition — didn’t affect the overall standings as two-time champion Alberto Contador will again don the red jersey for Thursday’s 18th stage.
Degenkolb, who was second in the Paris-Roubaix one day classic this year, beat home Australia’s former red jersey wearer Michael Matthews while Swiss star Fabian Cancellara was third.
Thursday’s 18th stage is a 157km ride from d’A Estrada to Monte Castrove en Meis, which is a second category climb reached after a 10km ascent.
Contador highlighted this stage as the one he feared the most in terms of his rivals for the title attacking him.
The 31-year-old presently leads compatriot Alejandro Valverde by 1min 36sec with Britain’s 2013 Tour de France champion Chris Froome a further three seconds in arrears.
The race finishes with a 9.7km time-trial in Santiago de Compostella on Sunday.
One rider who won’t be contesting the remainder of the race is Colombia’s Tour of Italy runner-up Rigoberto Uran, who made it a disastrous Tour for his country as he joined compatriot and Tour of Italy champion Nairo Quintana in retiring from the race.
“I have decided to bid farewell to the Vuelta (Tour of Spain). Thanks to my team and for all their work,” said the 27-year-old, who had dropped out of the top 10 after a series of disappointing performances in the mountains where he normally flourishes.