Ben Swift Second On La Vuelta Stage 18

Last updated : 06 September 2012 By Kev Monks

Team Sky's Ben Swift was pipped on the line by Danielle Benatti in the 18th stage of the Vuelta A Espana today.

This was a 204.5km flatish stage from Aguilar de Campoo to Valladolid for the 179 riders in the race which included race leader Alberto Contador after his first win back yesterday and last man in the race, Argos Shimano's Cheng Ji, the first Chinese rider in a Grand Tour, who was three hours and 48 minutes down on Contador.

From the start,  Luia Angel Mate  (Cofidis), Gatis Smukulis (Katusha) Martijn Keizer (Vacansoleil-DCM), Brent Bookwalter (BMC) and Gustavo Cesar Veloso (Andalucia). attacked and were 3.30 clear with 90 kilometres to go.

That was down to just over 1.14 with 37kms to go.as the escapers got into Valldoild for the first time.

With 35kms to go, there was a heavy fall taking down Linus Gerdermann, a Lampre rider and a Movistar rider Nairo Quintana, who went over the top of Gerdemann.

Mate took the final intermediate sprint before Ian Stannard brought up the Team Sky team who were looking for a win for Ben Swift who went away but was beaten on the line by Daniele Benatti in a time of 4.17.18.

Alberto Contador stays in red.