Agony for Nicolas Roche as he loses overall lead in Vuelta a Espana by just one second

Nicolas Roche lost his iconic red leader's jersey in the Vuelta a Espana today, but he had another very strong ride and is clearly in the form of his life for the two weeks of this race that remain.

By Gavin McLoughlin

Nicolas Roche lost the leader’s red jersey by a single, solitary second as Daniel Moreno of Katusha produced a stupendous ride to win stage 9 of the Vuelta a Espana today, Sunday.

Roche began the day 17 seconds ahead of Moreno and performed admirably to finish fourth on the today’s stage, beating World Champion Philippe Gilbert (BMC) and race-favourite Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) on a steep finishing ramp in the town of Jaén.

But Moreno was just too good and he takes over the race leadership after finishing 8 seconds ahead of Roche. Adding the ten-second time bonus for winning the stage, Moreno is now 1 second clear of the Saxo-Tinkoff leader, who drops to second overall.

Roche also ceded the white jersey of combined classification leader to Moreno, but retains control of the mountains competition.

It is a painful way in which to lose the lead after the joy of yesterday, but after a splendid, gutsy performance there can be no doubt that the Irishman will be right up there as the general classification battle continues to unfold over the next two weeks.

Today’s climax was particularly suitable to a punchy rider like Moreno, but with Roche in striking distance, a greater challenge will present itself to the Spaniard tomorrow.

Two difficult mountain climbs are to be scaled at the end of a 187-kilometre slog from Torredelcampo to the top of the hors-categorie Alto de Hazallanas.

Not long before the steep 16-kilometre Hazallanas, the riders will be forced to scale the first-category Alto de Monachil, but the crucial action is likely to come on the final ascent.

If Roche can manage to separate himself from Moreno by the required tiny margin, we’ll see yet another lead change in what has been a thrilling Vuelta thus far.

At the beginning of today’s 164-kilometre ride from Antequera to Valdepeñas de Jaén, a quintet consisting of Luke Rowe (Sky), Lloyd Mondory (AG2R-La Mondiale), Anthony Roux (Française des Jeux), the ever-aggressive Francisco Aramendia (Caja Rural) and Johnny Hoogerland (Vacansoleil-DCM) was allowed up the road.

BMC did the most work on the front of the peloton and eventually the escapees were hoovered up just shy of the day’s only categorised climb, the second-category Alto de Los Frailes.

Aramendia had been the last of the breakaway men to survive and when the climb arrived with 22 kilometres remaining, the Spaniard’s teammate Amets Txurruka decided to launch a long-range stab at glory. Soon Txurruka was joined by Robert Kiserlovski (Radioshack-Leopard), and after a brief period of co-operation, the Caja Rural man was spent.

Kiserlovski continued up the slope alone before being overhauled about a kilometre from the summit by a charging Edvald Boasson Hagen (Sky). The Norwegian was first onto the descent as Movistar led the pursuit, and about halfway down the Katusha squad of third-placed Daniel Moreno took to the front in an effort to put Roche under pressure.

Boasson Hagen was caught 2 kilometres out and as the road ramped up Roche was safely in the middle of the favourites’ group. Inside the final kilometre and Ivan Basso (Cannondale) hit the front as the incline became ever-more monstrous.

And on a devilish section that reached a gradient of 26 per cent, Moreno made his powerful move. The punchy Spaniard sailed clear of the rest and with 500 metres to go it was clear that stage honours would be his.

Roche was among the best of the chasers and with 100 metres to go the Saxo-Tinkoff leader was in a world of anguish as he fought desperately to keep hold of his jersey. Precious time ticked away as he drove for home, and ultimately he arrived right on the critical border between 7 and 8 seconds.

The Irishman threw his bike forward as he crossed the line, quickly swivelling his head to look for the gap on the clock. According to the commissaires, it had crept up to 8 seconds, and with that Moreno was elevated to first.

Roche’s overall lead is gone for now, but tomorrow provides him with a chance to hit back instantly as only a slender advantage is required to reclaim the red jersey. It is certain to be another nail-biter for Irish cycling fans.

@gavmcloughlin