Froome’s Vuelta lead slashed by Nibali

LOS MACHUCOS, Spain: Chris Froome’s Vuelta a Espana lead was cut by 42 seconds to 1min 16sec over Vincenzo Nibali as Austrian Stefan Denifl claimed a memorable win on Wednesday’s 17th stage.

Denifl attacked out of a breakaway with five kilometres to go to hold off a brave chase by Alberto Contador to win a brutal, mountainous 180.5km stage from Villadiego Los Machucos in 4hr 48min 52min.

Contador was 28sec back to aid his chances of making the general classification podium with Colombia’s Miguel Angel Lopez 1min 04sec down in third.Froome has looked assured in his bid to become just the third rider to win the Tour de France and Vuelta in the same year.

But he seemed to pay for his efforts in winning Tuesday’s time trial as he cracked on the final climb and couldn’t stay with Nibali.

The Italian finished alongside Lopez in fourth with Froome down in 14th.“I paid a little bit for yeaterday’s effort for sure, but I am still in a fantastic position,” said Froome.“Still over a minute to second place, so it’s a good buffer and I’m confident about the next few days ahead.”

The Briton has three more competitive stages to defend his lead before Sunday’s traditional parade around Madrid with the queen stage up the Alto de l’Angliru still to come on Saturday.“If you include yesterday, this is a five-day block now,” added Froome.“I’m taking it one day at a time, knowing that stage 20 is going to be the hardest day of this block.“Certainly any effort yesterday, today, it’s all going to compound up into stage 20 in the grand finale up Angliru. —