Henok reaches Vuelta finale after last mountain test

Henok Mulubrhan completed the Vuelta a España’s final mountain stage on Saturday and heads into Sunday’s Granada finale in 42nd place overall.

The Eritrean XDS Astana rider finished 86th at Collado del Alguacil in 5:37:07, 39 minutes six seconds behind stage winner Mikel Landa. He slipped six places in the general classification and now trails race leader Enric Mas by 2:14:30.

Mas retained the red jersey with one stage remaining. For Henok, the focus turns from the mountains to a final opportunity on flatter roads after three weeks of racing.

Sunday’s 112-kilometre stage from Carrefour Granada to Granada is officially classified flat, offering a more favourable setting for a fast finish than Saturday’s summit arrival. Whether Henok contests the finish himself will depend on how the race develops and Astana’s tactics. The stage is scheduled to begin with a neutralised start at 16:20 local time, with the finish expected around 19:06.