Stage 8 | Hellín / Xorret de Catí | Vuelta a España 2017

Stage eight of the Vuelta a España finished close to the summit of Xorret de Catí, a famously tough climb in southern Spain. Richard Moore, Daniel Friebe and Fran Reyes tell the story of the stage but the main drama of the day was arguably before any racing started with the news that Warren Barguil had been sent home by his team, Sunweb.

Barguil was one of the stars of the Tour de France, winning two stages and the King of the Mountains, but, according to his team, he “openly expressed that he didn’t conform to the team’s goal.” Things came to a head on Friday when he didn’t wait for Sunweb’s designated leader, Wilco Kelderman. Barguil is leaving Sunweb at the end of the season but that wasn’t a factor in his expulsion, his team insisted. We hear from Marc Reef, the sports director, and from Sunweb’s talented youngster, Sam Oomen.

At the end of an exciting stage we discuss the resurgent Alberto Contador and hear from Michael Woods and Jan Polanc.

The Cycling Podcast is supported by Rapha and Science in Sport.