Garmin-Sharp’s Ryder Hesjedal – who last week laughed off suggestions that he had a motor hidden in his bike’s frame – let his legs do the talking today as he won Stage 13 of the Vuelta a Espana at La Camperona.

The Canadian was one of a dozen riders from the dya’s break who started the final climb of the began the final climb together.  Tinkoff-Saxo’s Oliver Zaugg was out in front on his own in the closing kilometres, but Hesjedal overhauled him with the line almost in sight.

In the general classification, Zaugg’s team mate Alberto Contador has stretched his lead to 42 seconds over Alejandro Valverde, with the Movistar rider distanced towards the end of the final climb despite attacking earlier.

Team Sky’s Chris Froome moved into third place having clawed back seven seconds on Contador after a late attack and now lies 1 minute 13 seconds off the race lead with a week to go.