Lagutin takes stage 8, Quintana into Vuelta lead

La Camperona - Uzbekistan's Sergey Lagutin claimed a gruelling eighth stage of the Vuelta as Colombian Nairo Quintana climbed his way into the leader's red jersey on Saturday.

Lagutin was part of an 11-man breakaway that built up an enormous lead and beat out French duo Axel Domont and Perrig Quemeneur on the steep category one climb up La Camperona to win in the 181.5km stage in a time of 4hr 9min 30secs.

Behind the breakaway group the general classification contenders battled it out on the eight-kilometre climb to the finish.

And Quintana finally got one over Chris Froome after failing to challenge the Brit's procession to a third Tour of France win in July when he dropped Froome, Alberto Contador and Alejandro Valverde in the final two kilometres.

Quintana finished 25 seconds ahead of Contador and 33 in front of Froome and Valverde.

Froome remains third overall but is now 27 seconds back on Quintana with Valverde second, just 19 seconds adrift of his Movistar teammate.