A CORUNA, Spain (AP) β John Degenkolb of Germany sprinted to win the Spanish Vuelta’s 17th stage on Wednesday, while Alberto Contador maintained the red leader’s jersey with four days to go.
Degenkolb edged fellow sprinting experts Michael Matthews and Fabian Cancellara to claim the flat 190.7-kilometer (118.5-mile) ride from Ortigueira to A Coruna in just under 4 Β½ hours.
Contador finished with his nearest challengers, protecting his advantage of more than a minute and a half ahead of Alejandro Valverde and Chris Froome.
Thursday’s stage is a 157-kilometer (97.5-mile) ride from A Estrada to the second-category Monte Castrove summit.
