COLLADA DE LA GALLINA, Andorra (AP) — Daniele Ratto of Italy withstood cold and rain in the Pyrenees to win a grueling 14th stage of the Spanish Vuelta on Saturday, while Vincenzo Nibali withstood rivals’ attacks to protect his overall lead.
Ratto, a Cannondale rider, broke away from the group and had time to savor his victory as he made his final push to the summit finish of the 97-mile route that started in Baga and finished in the principality of Andorra.
Nibali stayed on the wheel of Christopher Horner on the final category-one climb and increased his lead over Alejandro Valverde and Joaquim Rodriguez.
The cold and rain in the Pyrenees forced veteran Ivan Basso to abandon the race with signs of hypothermia.
