Astana's Fabio Aru has won stage eleven of the Vuelta a Espana.
A 153.4km stage from Pamplona to San Miguel de Aralar (Navarre) was just fourteen kilometres into the stage when Nairo Quintana of Movistar who had crashed in the time trial, crashed again. He was helped to his feet but was holding his right collarbone and was forced to abandon along with Steve Moribito of BMC, Maxime Bouet (Ag2r-La Mondiale) and Thibaut Pinot (FDJ.fr). Quintana was later diagnosed with a displaced fracture in his right-hand scapula and will undergo surgery on Thursday morning.
A break of twelve riders and then one of twenty four tried to get away but were brought back before the fifty kilometres mark.
Valverde and race leader Alberto Contdaro were involved in the sprint before Elia Favilli (Lampre-Merida), Johan Le Bon (FDJ.fr), Pim Ligthart (Lotto Belisol), and Vasil Kiryienka (Team Sky) formed a break with 89kms to go.
Peio Bilbao (Caja Rural) managed to bridge over to the escapers which fragmented when Kiryienka attacked with a lead of around four minutes.
Kiryienka (Team Sky) formed a break with 89kms to go. was still 3,27 ahead with 35kms left. The Team Sky rider took the KOM points on the climb and started on the final climb with 9.9.kms to go with only 22 seconds advantage.
The early part of the climb to San Miguel de Aralar (Navarre) was around 7% and a kilometre in, Kiryienka was caught by the rampaging peloton which had Katusha riders on the front with Contador and Chris Froome all handily placed.
Robert Gesink of Belkin and Warren Barguil attacked as the road started to get steeper. Gesink shelled Bargull and had a 21 second lead with 3.8kms left whilst back of the front of the pelotin, Navarro and Dan Martin tried to flee but Contador was marking them.
Martin went again as further down the road, Chris Froome was at the rear end of the group of favourites.
Froome was saving his energy and stormed to the front but Contador and Valverde followed.
Aru tried to attack before the group of favourites caught up to Gesink with 1.3kms to go.. Fabio Aru was first under the flam rouge and went for it on roads filled with spectators on either side.
Aru went and was able to take the win in 3.41.04 ahead of Valverde who was six seconds back, Rodriguez, Contador and Chris Froome who was seven seconds back, followed by Uran, Sanchez and Dan Martin.
"For me it is incredible and I am hugely happy," Aru said to Eurosport. "Everything went well and nothing could be more perfect. "I want to dedicate this win to my team. "My main target was to win a stage and I will take it day by day from now on."
Alberto Contador leads the race by two seconds from Valverde, 1.08 from Uran, 1.21 from Froome, 1.35 from Rodriguez +1'35, 1.52 from Sanchez and 2.13 from today's stage winner - Fabio Aru.