Ben King wins Vuelta Stage 4, Simon Yates up to third overall after late attack

Ben King of Dimension Data has won today’s Stage 4 of the Vuelta a Espana following the first summit finish of the race at Alfacar – Sierra de la Alfaguara.

Team Sky’s Michal Kwiatkowski retains the overall lead, but now lies just 7 seconds ahead of the Bora-Hansgrohe rider Emanuel Buchmann, who was able to get away from the group containing the overall contenders on the final climb.

Also managing to distance his rivals in that group with a late attack was Simon Yates, who led the Giro d’Italia for two weeks in May until eventual winner Chris Froome of Team Sky overhauled him on Stage 19.

Yates had started the day in 12th place overall, 37 seconds off the race lead, but his late move saw him jump to third overall, just 10 seconds down on the race leader.

Movistar’s Alejandro Valverde, winner of Sunday’s Stage 2 and second overall this morning, a further 2 seconds back in fourth position on the General Classification.

King, a member of the day’s break on the 161.4-kilometre stage from Velez-Malaga, finished two seconds ahead of fellow escapee Nikita Stalnov of Astana Pro Team.

EF Education First-Drapac rider Pierre Rolland – who has featured prominently in attacks in the opening days of the race – came home third, a further 11 seconds behind.