Evenepoel tames tough final climb to increase Vuelta lead

Belgian Remco Evenepoel of Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl wearing the leader's red jersey crosses the finish line at stage 9 of the Vuelta a Espana,, from Villaviciosa to Les Praeres, Nava. Picture: David Stockman/Belga Mag/AFP via Getty Images

Remco Evenepoel dropped his main challengers on the grueling final ascent in Les Praeres to increase his overall lead in the Spanish Vuelta on Sunday.

South African Louis Meintjes won the ninth stage, crossing the line more than a minute ahead of Samuele Battistella, Edoardo Zambanini and Evenepoel.