Team LottoNL-Jumbo missed the breakaway in the 13th stage of the Vuelta. The hilly course to Tarazona was won by Portuguese rider Nelson Oliveira of Lampre-Merida. Mike Teunissen led LottoNL-Jumbo over the line in 48th. Fabio Aru of Team Astana continues the lead in the overall standings.  

The 178-kilometre long stage led the peloton over difficult, hilly terrain. After 70 kilometers on the Alto de Beratón, a mountain of the first category, 24 riders attacked.  

"It was a long battle and we have tried hard to be in the break, but didn’t had the power on this course today," said Sports Director Merijn Zeeman. "Teunissen and Roosen were in a smaller break, but when we hit the climb, 24 riders broke clear. Then you can close the book."  

The Vuelta is now heading towards a heavy triptych in the mountains of northern Spain. The peloton gets three days in a row of uphill arrivals.  

Fatigue
"We are driving towards the mountains in northern Spain, a trip of two hours," continued Zeeman. "The men have been fighting a lot today but when that group was gone, I told them to save as much energy as possible for the next few days. Meanwhile, we are already two weeks on the road and the fatigue is also hitting us."  

Cantabria
The mountains in Cantabria are not very long but quite steep. Tomorrow is a 215-kilometer stage to Alto Campoo with a long uphill arrival.  

"The triptych that follows is super heavy. The Alto Campoo is 18 kilometers long. The days that follow are for the GC-riders, but Bert-Jan also won a mountain stage and so we will take the next few days from day to day, “ Zeeman concluded.