As it happened: Roglič’s onslaught on stage 8 of the Vuelta a España

Full race report and results can be found here:

Vuelta a España: Primož Roglič powers to mountaintop win on stage 8 to cut into O’Connor’s GC lead

Another shot of the closing metres.

Let’s hear from the winner

“The opportunity was there, and I went for it. It was hard, hot. I was lucky – I had the legs to take it today. 

“I’m going every day full racing, just see how I will respond to all of this input to my body after a hard period with my injury – I still feel it, so we’ll see.”

Roglič at the line there.

O’Connor well outside the top 15 here and he finally stops the clock at 45 seconds. Add in 10 in bonuses and Roglic has taken nearly a minute back. Wow.

Landa third at 14 seconds.

He can! He finds the space, he has the kick and he skips clear to take the victory!

Mas opens it up, tight bends and it helps to have the lead. Can Roglic come around?

Mas moves forward to lead into the final 400m.

Landa launching a fightback behind Roglic and Mas. 

Vicious ramps in the final 600m! It’s a proper Vuelta wall. 

O’Connor is losing Gall’s wheel as other GC riders move up the road. He’s losing 25 seconds already.

Tejada is caught and now Roglic and Mas lead the race as a duo into the final kilometre.

O’Connor really struggling.

O’Connor is being paced by Gall but is facing a time loss to Roglic and Mas here.

Roglic and Mas reach Vergalito, with Tejada the last man standing just a few seconds out in front.

Mas is Roglic’s closest challenger again and gets on the wheel. Bigger gap to the rest now.

Another dig from Roglic! Third one so far… 2km to go

Almeida is definitely struggling here. He’s 90 seconds in arrears.

Roglic settles back into the group again.

Carapaz works his way over. Just behind, O’Connor has Felix Gall to close the gap for him.