Vuelta a Espana: Astana rider Aru pips Chris Froome to stage 18 win

It lifted Froome to second place in the overall standings and kept alive his slim hopes of snatching the title. Team Sky's Froome overtook Spain's Alejandro Valverde but still trails overall leader Alberto Contador, whose lead was cut to one minute 19 seconds. Astana rider Aru is fifth overall after the 157km stage. Most of the leading riders from the general classification were in contention as the field left A Estrada and climbed Monte Castrove twice. France's Warren Barguil attempted a breakaway on the second ascent but was clawed back as several teams, including Froome's Sky and Joaquim Rodriguez's Katusha, attempted to help their lead riders, BBC News reports. After Aru and Froome raced ahead, cresting the summit together before dashing for the line, Spaniard Contador, battled for fifth place, dropping some potentially vital seconds on Froome. The 19th stage takes place on Friday - a 180.5km leg from Salvaterra do Mino to Cangas do Morrazo. Details also at