Sánchez ascends as Gilbert reigns

Samuel Sánchez moved up to 14th on GC on the Vuelta a España's 12th stage on Thursday.

'Samu' came in with the first group and thus edged ahead of Eros Capecchi into 14th, the Italian coming in 14 seconds down.

Aside from that minor improvement on GC, Euskaltel kept a decidedly low profile as the sprinters finally got a chance to shine. Edvald Boasson Hagen looked to be on course for a win, having started his sprint from way out, only to see reigning world champ Philippe Gilbert pip him to the line.

Results:

• (1, Philippe Gilbert (BMC), 4:03:44)
• 26, Samuel Sánchez, s.t.
• 32, Egoi Martínez, s.t.
• 46, Mikel Landa, 0:08
• 47, Igor Antón, s.t.
• 69, Mikel Nieve, 0:19
• 72, Juan José Oroz, 0:31
• 87, Jorge Azanza, 0:50
• 98, Gorka Verdugo, 0:59
• 99, Pablo Urtasun, s.t.

Photo: Orbea