PEYRAGUDES, France (AP) — Alexandre Geniez won the grueling 15th stage of the Spanish Vuelta ending with a summit finish in his home country of France, while Vincenzo Nibali fended off his rivals’ attacks to retain the overall lead on Sunday.
Geniez broke away on a solo escape before the last of four category-one climbs to claim the 140-mile stage that started in the principality of Andorra, passed through Spanish territory, and finished at the Peyragudes summit.
Geniez, riding for FDJ.FR, crossed the finish line in 6 hours, 20 minutes.
Nibali, the Giro d’Italia winner, showed his good form by responding to attacks by Alejandro Valverde, Joaquim Rodriguez, and Christopher Horner.
