Vuelta: Nicolas Edet seized the red jersey, the stage for Nikias Arndt – Vuelta

In the pouring rain, the 8th stage of the Vuelta gave birth to a victory of Nikias Arndt (Sunweb). She especially saw Nicolas Edet, present in the victorious breakaway, to take the lead of the general classification. The climber of the Cofidis became the 26th Frenchman in history to wear the red jersey, a year after Rudy Molard.

On the Catalan roads, the win was played among the survivors of a river breakaway, the largest since the start of the 74th Tour of Spain – 21 riders -. This is the passage through the Puerto de Monserrat, 2nd category pass, 30kms from the finish, then his dangerous run, made in the rain, which sorted out among the contenders for the victory. After a wet firecracker from Peter, a trio composed of Ruben Guerreiro (Katusha-Alpecin), Martijn Tusveld (Sunweb) and Fernando Barcelo (Euskadi Basque Country – Murias) was formed and fused together on Igualada, the city of arrival .

The trio finally failed to reach the finish, caught by the rest of the survivors of the breakaway. The offensives then followed one another, but it is well grouped that the score of runners passed the red flame before embarking on the final sprint on a soggy bitumen. Clearly faster than his companions, Arndt dominated the sprint, finishing a bike ahead of Alex Aranburu (Caja Rural – Seguros RGA).

On the French side, Edet's presence in the winning group gave rise to fantasies of the red jersey. Sixteenth overall in the morning of the start at only 6'24 '', the Sarthois waited impatiently for the passing of the wearer of the red jersey, Miguel Angel Lopez (Astana) on the line, watching the clock. The Colombian, warm in the peloton, did not join the finish until nine minutes later, giving the Frenchman the head of the general.

Sunday, a hard day awaits the riders, with a finish at the top of Cortal d'Encamp, before the first day of rest. The Andorran climbs should allow the favorites to measure themselves again and probably to steal the red jersey to his new carrier.