As it happened: Drama and GC shake-up in Sierra Nevada on Vuelta a España stage 9

And O’Connor winning the sprint for third.

Carapaz crossing the line in second place

Here’s O’Connor’s reaction

Asked if he was concerned by Yates: “No. I’m happy he won today actually. We let him in the break today, he wasn’t someone we had on our absolute-must on the radar. Credit to him. Carapaz, I was surprised he held on for so long. 

“I was super happy with how we were as a team – really composed. We led from the front when we needed to, Felix [Gall] was excellent on the final climb. It shows we’re here to still fight.”

As for the bonus-second sprint for third place: “I guess every second counts. I didn’t lose time today – well to some guys yeah, but in the end I showed my real capacity and what I can do, so I’m proud.”

Yates speaks

“I never suffered like this before. It was so hot out there. From the last climb I was cramping and I didn’t know if I could go. I’ve had a lot of bad luck in Grand Tours over the years and I really didn’t know if I could make it, but I’m just so happy I could finally win another Grand Tour stage.”

As for the GC gains, which have propelled him from 27th into 7th: “I don’t give a shit about GC today. It was all about the stage. I was just going full gas. We really had nothing to lose. I just suffered all the way to the line.”

The finish line shot

Hell of a stage.

Lipowitz opens the sprint but Roglič hasn’t got the legs! O’Connor takes it – third place and four bonus seconds. 

Lipowitz comes to control for Roglic, who now has the prospect of bonus seconds with this group set to contest third place on the stage.

Mas caught Gaudu but they’ve both now been caught by the red jersey group. A real shame for Mas but he attacks again in the final kilometre!

Carapaz – what a ride from him as well – crosses the line for second place, 1:38 after Yates. 

Yates screams for water as we wait to see Carapaz’s time on the line.

Adam Yates (UAE Team Emirates) wins stage 9 of the Vuelta a España