However, the Slovenian defending champion Primoz Roglic was able to close the gap to the 22-year-old Belgian again on Sunday.
After 152.6 kilometres from Martos to the mountain finish on the Hoya de la Mora in the Sierra Nevada at 2507 metres above sea level, Dutch rider Thymen Arensman secured the day's victory as a soloist. Roglic, who had won the stage race for the past three years, finished fifth on the day, 1:44 minutes behind.
Evenepoel loses 15 seconds
Evenepoel crossed the finish line 15 seconds after the Slovenian in tenth place and is still 1:34 minutes ahead of Roglic in the overall standings. Third, 2:01 minutes behind Evenepoel, is the Spaniard Enric Mas.
After the third rest day on Monday, the Tour of Spain will continue on Tuesday. Then, after the 189.4 kilometres from Sanlúcar de Barrameda to Tomares, the sprinters could get a chance. The race ends next Sunday in Spain's capital Madrid.
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