Roche surges into sixth after fruitful day in Vuelta

Ireland’s Nicolas Roche has continued his rise up the General Classification at the Vuelta a Espana after finishing 14th on yesterday’s 164 kilometre seventh stage from Huesca to Alcañiz.

Roche is now joint sixth overall, just over a minute behind race leader Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha) and on the same time as Spaniard Alejandro Valverde (Movistar).

Chris Froome (team Sky) and Alberto Contador (Team SaxoBank) had a relatively stress-free day and finished safely in the main bunch to stay second and third overall.