Vuelta a Espana 2016: Stage 11 Results, General Classification and Highlights

Chris Froome won Stage 11 of the 2016 Vuelta a Espana on Wednesday. The Team Sky rider outpaced red-jersey leader Nairo Quintana in a terrific finale over the final 200 metres to move to second in the general classification standings.

It was a day that developed into a thrilling sprint finish between the main general classification contenders. Tinkoff and Alberto Contador pushed the peloton behind a strong break while Froome and Quintana bided their time until the decisive moment.

Here are the stage results, per the Inner Ring:

Here's the general classification, per the race's official site:

Recap

An early break formed just over 60 kilometres into the stage. It was a 23-rider-strong breakaway, featuring BMC's Ben Hermans and Axel Domont of AG2R La Mondiale. Cannondale-Drapac's Pierre Rolland also got in on the act.

Of the leading teams in the peloton, Team Sky and Movistar seemed reticent to try to reel the breakaway riders back in. Instead, it was Tinkoff who made the first move from the bunch.

They helped cut the break's lead to less than five minutes with 78 kilometres to go. It was down to just 2:17 ahead of the climb at Orena. It looked as if Tinkoff were working to pave the way for Contador.

Lalo R. Villar/Associated Press

Meanwhile, back in the peloton, overall race leader Quintana didn't appear too concerned with the break. The Movistar man no doubt knew there weren't many in the breakaway likely to significantly challenge his lead in the red-jersey standings.

While Quintana seemed content, Team Sky and Astana soon joined Tinkoff riders in applying more pressure to the break. The escapees' lead was less than a minute as the race went inside the final 25 kilometres.

Things would take a decisive turn on the two-pronged climb at Pena Cabarga. It represented Contador's moment to make the most of Tinkoff's chasing work and stake his claim.

Team Sky relayed footage of the daunting final climb waiting for the riders:

Tinkoff stayed at the head of the peloton as the break's lead continued to diminish. Contador and Co. approached a long straight less than 50 seconds behind the breakaway.

Still, the break was somehow holding its lead. Yet a mere 45 seconds didn't look enough once Contador and the main general classification contenders started to pick up the pace for the start of the climb.

Hermans and the rest were seeing their lead slip away, with BMC detailing the slender advantage for the break:

The day's pace had been high, but the drop was sudden and absolute once the riders hit the ascent. Contador was slipping slightly as the final kilometres began, allowing Quintana and Froome to make their moves and ready attacks.

While the peloton bided its time, Hermans made his move to ditch the break. His lead was less than 10 seconds, but the BMC man was managing to hold.

Hermans' efforts were commendable, but they weren't a concern to Quintana. He simply stayed close to team-mate Ruben Fernandez and maintained a steady ride.

It was Fernandez who was first to peg back Hermans. Movistar's move put the pressure on Contador to try to mount a late attack.

The race had evolved into a fight between the general classification contenders. It was Orica-BikeExchange's Esteban Chaves who attacked first, but Alejandro Valverde tried to battle back for Movistar, doing the work so Quintana didn't have to.

Lalo R. Villar/Associated Press

Seeing Valverde go was Froome's cue to make his move, but the pair still trailed Chaves by 18 seconds. The uphill sprint reduced the lead to just 10 seconds with 800 metres to go.

That was when Quintana made his move. It was subtle timing, but Froome didn't give it up, with the Team Sky man powering ahead for the final 500 metres.

Froome tried to end the counterpunching by finding a final sprint. He did just that to keep Quintana at bay for the final 200 metres and earn a 10-second bonus, while Valverde came behind in third, with Contador settling for fifth.