Tom Dumoulin strongly countered the attacks in the finale to finish in 15th place on stage 18. Dumoulin maintains the overall lead and Nicolas Roche won the stage from the breakaway.

The 204km route from Roa to Riaza included three registered climbs, with the last one having the summit at 13km from the finish. Again a large breakaway of 25 riders left after one hour of racing.

Team Giant-Alpecin initially controlled at the bunch, as Astana Pro Cycling took over towards the hilly section in the finale.

Tom Dumoulin did not lose runner-up in the GC Fabio Aru (Astana Pro Cycling) out of sight and countered his attacks on the final climb. At the summit ten riders were together to form the GC group, including a strong Dumoulin in the red jersey.

Nicolas Roche (Team Sky) was the strongest from the ‘sprint-a-deux’ and won the stage. Dumoulin finished in 15th place and maintains GC lead.

“It was a difficult stage, only the beginning was flat. Almost all day it went up and down. There was a good break in the front and the guys worked really well," he said.

“Aru started attacking me in the finale. His first attack was strong, as he put everything on the road, but I was able to hold his wheel and I knew I would keep the jersey today. It wasn’t a steep climb and I even attacked myself with 4km to go.

"Aru’s first attack definitely hurt but I always kept his wheel and I was never cracking or was never in real trouble. He also had a bad moment so he also has to be careful with his energy.

"I think it was a good day. They are trying to isolate me and attack me but I know that if I just stay in Aru’s wheel there is no problem. I think Aru will not be so happy about today so it’s a good thing.

"It was a hard day but I'm still in red, I could handle those attacks. I knew he had spent some energy, so when Moreno tried a move late on, I made a counter-attack of my own.

"It was a big boost to my confidence, and I know that Astana's strategy is to isolate me and get me out of the red jersey. But I know if I stay on Aru's wheel, then they cannot do anything.

“There will be two difficult days to come, where a lot can happen.”