ALTO DEL NARANCO, Spain (AP) Spaniard David de la Cruz took the lead of the Spanish Vuelta from Nairo Quintana after completing a successful breakaway to win the mountainous ninth stage on Sunday.
The Etixx-Quick Step rider earned his first win at a grand tour after he pulled away from a small escape group, dropping runner-up Dries Devenyns with 600 meters (yards) left on the last of five ascents in the northern mountains.
The 27-year-old De la Cruz finished the route from Cistierna to the Alto del Naranco in three hours, 47 minutes, 56 seconds.
De la Cruz entered the stage in 15th place, 2 minutes, 46 seconds behind Quintana's overnight lead. His attack from distance took him to the top of the overall classification with a 22-second advantage over Quintana.
