UAE Team Emirates’ Louis Meintjes continued his rise in the General Classification (GC), as the South African finished in the top 10 during stage 15 of the Vuelta a Espana.

Meintjes, who stuck with fellow GC contenders throughout the race and crossed the line in ninth place, now moves up to 14th position in the GC standings.

Miguel Angel Lopez (Astana Pro Team) took the stage victory following a breakaway on the final climb, for a solo finish. Chris Froome (Team Sky) continues to hold the red jersey.

UAE Team Emirates’ riders will have the chance to regain energy during Monday’s second rest day, before the final stages resume on Tuesday afternoon. Stage 16, an Individual Time Trial, starts in Circuito de Navarra in Los Arcos and runs 40.2km to the finish in Logroño.

STAGE 15 RESULTS

1. Miguel Ángel López (Colombia) Astana Pro Team – 3:34:51
2. Ilnur Zakarin (Russia) Team Katusha – Alpecin – 00:36
3. Wilco Kelderman (Netherlands) Team Sunweb – 00:45
9. Louis Meintjes (SA) UAE Team Emirates – 00:53

GC Standings

1. Chris Froome (GBr) Team Sky – 62:06:25
2. Vincenzo Nibali (Italy) Bahrain Merida Pro Cycling Team – 01:01
3. Ilnur Zakarin (Russia) Team Katusha – Alpecin – 02:08
14. Louis Meintjes (SA) UAE Team Emirates – 09:02