Sergio Higuita did not wear the best young man's jersey to wear the Colombian flag

Colombian Sergio Higuita, from Bora, is the new leader of the Vuelta a Catalunya, after Saturday's sixth stage between Salou and Cambrils, won by Ecuadorian Richard Carapaz, from Ineos. For his part, the Olympic champion imposed his pedal stroke in a two-way sprint with Higuita, culminating the long 120km getaway starring the two South Americans.

In third place came the Australian Kaden Groves (Bike-Exchange) in 48 seconds, entering a large group. The feat carried out between Higuita and Carapaz allowed the former to take the lead in the general standings, overriding the Portuguese Joao Almeida (UAE).

Higuita, sixth leader of the race in six days, leads the general standings with 16 seconds ahead of Carapaz, who rose to second place overall, and 52 seconds over Almeida. Colombian Nairo Quintana (Arkea) fell from second to fourth place 53 seconds behind his compatriot and new leader.

Carapaz and Higuita were the main protagonists of a stage, in which the Spanish veteran Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) did not start. Some “physical discomfort resulting from a fall in Strade Bianche, as well as allergy and respiratory problems” that hindered his participation in the Catalan round, ended up withdrawing him this Saturday.

On the other hand, Higuita started the sixth fraction in third place in the overall standings and as the second best young man behind Portuguese Joao Almeida, of Team Emirates, who was the leader of the overall standings.

After finishing second in this stage and taking the lead, it was up to the Colombian to wear the orange shirt with white for best youth while Almeida wore the green with white as the leader.

Since the organization of the race, it was reported that the Colombian was wearing this mention and would have to wear the corresponding jersey, but Higuita refused to wear the best young man's jersey to wear the one he has worn throughout the season: the Colombian national champion jersey. The Antioquia rider can do this since he was crowned national champion the previous month in Risaralda.

That is, being a national champion, Higuita can wear the white Team Bora jersey, which has a Colombian flag crossed all over his chest, something that the national champion of each country can do. Sergio, as two-time champion, wore it too proudly while the best youth shirt of the Vuelta a Catalunya was' loaned 'to Spaniard Juan Ayuso of Team Emirates.

Finally, this Sunday will take place the seventh and final stage of the 138.5 km Vuelta a Catalunya with start and finish in Barcelona, following a route that includes six ascents to the top of Montjüic, second category.

1. Richard Carapaz (ECU/Ineos) the 168 km in 4h 09:19.

2. Sergio Higuita (COL/BOR) m.t.

3. Kaden Groves (AUS/BIK) with 48 segundos.

4. Velasco (ITA/AST) 48 seconds.

5. Quentin Pacher (FRA/GFJ) 48 segundos.

6. Jan Bakelants (BEL/INT) 48 seconds.

7. Fernando Barcelo (ESP/CAJ) 48 seconds.

8. Dorian Godon (FRA/AG2) 48 segundos.

9. Mattias Skelmose (DEN/TRE) 48 segundos.

10. Henri Vandenabeele (BEL/DSM) 48 segundos.

1. Sergio Higuita (col/Bora) 26h 35:24.

2. Richard Carapaz (ECU/INE) to 16 seconds.

3. João Almeida (POR/UAE) 52 seconds ago.

4. Nairo Quintana (ARK) to 53 seconds.

5. Juan Ayuso (ESP/UAE) at 1:08 seconds.

6. Wout Poels (NED/BAH) a 1:10 segundos..

7. Ben O'Connor (AUS/AG2) M.T.

8. Tobias Johannessen (NOR/UNO) at 1:13 seconds.

9. Guillaume Martin (FRA/COF) at 1:16 seconds.

10. Torsten Träen (NOR/UNO) at 1:27 seconds.

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