Dario Cataldo won Stage 16 of the Vuelta A Espana this afternoon.
A 183.5km stage in the mountains from Gijón to Valgrande-Pajares (Cuitu Negru), saw Thomas De Gendt (Vacansoleil-DCM) and Dario Cataldo (Omega Pharma-QuickStep) go clear after forty kilometres and then get over thirteen and a half minutes clear.
They were still away with ten kilometres to go, but their lead over a chasing group of sixteen riders was 5.49.
With the group containing Chris Froome back down the road, Valverde, Contador, race leader Joaquin Rodriquez and Quintana, went after the two escapers.
Contador continued with his attacks on this 23% climb but the front two were away, whilst Rodriquez shadowed the Saxo Bank rider's every move.
Dario Cataldo managed to get away from his shadow and got twelve seconds clear.
Cataldo looked over his shoulder but De Gendt started to come back with 200m to go but Cataldo won in a time of 5.18.28 ahead of De Gendt.
The immense battle between Contador and Rodriquez came to a close when Rodriquez grabbed more time when he finished third, 2.38 back on Cataldo.
Chris Froome came in 14th 5.10 down on the leader with his chances of winning the Vuelta all but over. Nicholas Roche was 20th.
Joaquin Rodriquez leads the race from Contador by 28 seconds and 2.04 from Valverde.
Tomorrow is a rest day