Sergio Higuita (EF Education First Pro Cycling) soloed to a memorable first Grand Tour stage victory on Stage 18 of the Vuelta a España, attacking from the breakaway 52km out and riding alone all the way to the finish in Becerril de la Sierra.

Primož Roglič (Jumbo-Visma) retained his hold on the GC, and extended his lead in the overall standings to 2'50" as Alejandro Valverde overtook his Movistar team-mate Nairo Quintana to slot into second in the GC.

Roglič came across the finish line in second place, 15 seconds behind Higuita, beating Valverde to a six-second bonus, and Miguel Ángel López followed behind Rafal Majka (BORA - hansgrohe) as he took the white jersey from Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates).

Pogačar lost 59 seconds to López, with the Colombian leapfrogging the young Slovenian into fourth overall thanks to an aggressive ride in which he attacked multiplied times.