Dutch youngster Danny Van Poppel (TFR) claimed a chaotic sprint in Lleida to win stage 12 of the Vuelta a España, after a tight contest between the break and the bunch came down to the finishing straight, despite the peloton seeming to have things under control over most of the 173km route against the five-man leading group - Rubiano (COL), Gougeard (ALM), Lindeman (TLJ), Venter (MTN) and Bouet (EQS).

The Movistar Team, most notably Amador, Ventoso, Sutherland and Erviti, protected well its two leaders, Valverde and Quintana, who remain 6th and 9th overall. In turn, the lack of a strong team in the sprint prevented a better finish for José Joaquín Rojas than ninth spot, the Spaniard looking to enjoy his final opportunity before Madrid tomorrow in an intriguing stage 13, a lumpy one over 177km from Calatayud to a final slope in Tarazona.

“We went through a really demanding stage yesterday and we're still in the GC fight," Valverde said. "Though 1'50" might seem like an almost unsurmountable gap, it's a lot, yet it could be nothing with what's ahead. I'm feeling quite better, more comfortable with my arm, getting well through the day and looking forward to the next round of mountains, in just two days' time."

“I'm not in good condition, though I'm feeling a bit better. I feel quite empty, after fever and diarrhea during the last few days, and I feel it might be difficult to recover in GC terms, but despite that and with obvious suffering, thanks to my team-mates I had a better day today, and I hope to keep fighting," Quntana said.