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Cheering after a tough climb: Louis Meintjies
Photo: ANDER GILLENEA / AFP
The Belgian professional cyclist Remco Evenepoel extended his lead in the overall standings at the Tour of Spain.
Fourth place on the ninth stage after 171.4 kilometers from Villaviciosa to Les Praeres was enough for the 22-year-old to further distance his direct competitors.
The South African Louis Meintjes got the day's victory in the mountain finish.
The 30-year-old prevailed as a breakaway in front of the Italians Samuele Battistella and Edoardo Zambanini.
In the battle for the red jersey, Evenepoel is now 1:12 ahead of Spaniard Enric Mas.
Last year's winner Primož Roglič from Slovenia is 1:53 minutes behind and still third overall, but clearly struggled on the ninth stage.
The Vuelta has a rest day on Monday.
The race ends on September 11th in the Spanish capital Madrid.
kjo/dpa