Vuelta a Espana 2016: Stage 15 Results, Overall Standings and Highlights

Gianluca Brambilla of Etixx-Quick-Step prevailed in the mountains at Stage 15 of the 2016 Vuelta a Espana as Nairo Quintana took a huge step toward being crowned champion at the Grand Tour.

Brambilla beat Quintana with a late charge and sprint to claim the stage victory, but the Movistar Team rider extended his lead at the top of the general classifications, as Tour de France winner Chris Froome lagged behind after a difficult day for Team Sky.

Sky Cycling confirmed the stage result and the latest general classification standings:

"

Vuelta a Espana stage 15 result #LV2016 pic.twitter.com/VYrY4hiR0u

— Sky Cycling  (@SkyCycling) September 4, 2016"

Stage 15 Recap

Brambilla made a dart for the line to beat Quintana during Stage 15, but it was the GC king who benefited most, as he claimed a huge advantage over Froome at the top of the overall placings.

Tinkoff's official Twitter feed provided the stage profile for Sunday's racing:

The story of the race began when Brambilla split the peloton with Alberto Contador, forming two distinct groups as the serious racing began. Team Sky opted to stay with the peloton, and the tactical decision appears to have lost Froome his chances of the title.

Quintana stayed with the leading group of 14 riders as the British Olympian sat, and the gap became too much to close. Froome was caught out as six of his team-mates struggled to make an impact and pull him along at vital moments.

JOSE JORDAN/Getty Images

Quintana and Contador took two team-mates with them on the break, and they worked with cohesion as they put on a display of aggressive racing.

Froome looked mortified in his saddle when he realised the errors that were being made, and Quintana executed his game plan to perfection.

At the conclusion of the stage, the GC leader was isolated with Brambilla and was clearly flagging in the final kilometres. The Italian sat on the South American's wheel and remained patient, striking in the final 100 metres at the top of the hill.

JOSE JORDAN/Getty Images

Quintana was clearly content to let him go, safe in the knowledge that Froome had failed to follow the pair.

The Tour de France holder, who conquered Quintana at the Grand Tour, has stayed in contention in Spain despite a gruelling programme—involving a trip to the Rio Olympic Games.

Sunday might have been the day when time caught up with the legendary rider, as he misjudged his opposition in the mountains.