Roche moves up to 8th overall in Vuelta Espana

Ireland's Nicolas Roche has had another good day at the Vuelta Espana.

In the second of this year's mountain stages, Roche finished in fifth place behind stage winner, Simon Clarke from Australia.

Clarke outsprinted Germany’s Tony Martin to the ski-resort finish at Valdezcaray with Assan Bazayev in third.

The result means that he is now moved up to eighth in the overall standings, 24 seconds behind red jersey holder, Joaquim Rodriguez of Spain.

Overnight leader Alejandro Valverde lost significant ground on the 161-kilometre stage.

Valverde had led the chasing pack by 19 seconds, but was down in ninth tonight, to allow Rodriguez to take over the leader’s red jersey.

Tomorrow’s 168km fifth stage will see the riders start and finish in Logrono.