Reigning champion Primoz Roglic claimed his second stage victory of the 2020 Vuelta a Espana to close to gap on overall race leader Richard Carapaz. 

The Jumbo-Visma rider was involved in a tense battle with Carapaz over the final stretch of Wednesday's stage, which took the riders from Logrono to Alto de Moncalvillo. 

Roglic countered his rival with a fine late counterpunch and finished 13 seconds quicker, as well as earning 10 bonus seconds, compared to Carapaz's six. 

He is now up to second in the General Classification, 13 seconds behind the pacesetter after his remarkable stage eight win. He had begun the day 30 seconds behind. 

"It was quite a boring, slow start and the pace went up and it was super fast and harder after the second to last climb," Roglic said.

"I always like to win, so if there is a small opportunity I will take it. It was super hard today and, luckily, I had the legs and I'm happy to win the stage.  

"It's nice to get some time back but most of all it's nice to win the race." 

Israel Start-Up Nation's Daniel Martin slumped to the ground as he crossed the line in third, tightening his grip on the same position in the GC, with Hugh Carthy slipping to fourth. 

STAGE RESULT

1. Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma) 04:07:08
2. Richard Carapaz (INEOS Grenadiers) +00:13
3. Dan Martin (Israel Start-Up Nation) +00:19
4. Aleksandr Vlasov (Astana) +00:25
5. Hugh Carthy (EF Pro Cycling) +00:33

CLASSIFICATION STANDINGS

General Classification

1. Richard Carapaz (INEOS Grenadiers) 32:31:06
2. Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma) +00:13
3. Dan Martin (Israel Start-Up Nation) +00:28

Points Classification

1. Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma) 104
2. Richard Carapaz (INEOS Grenadiers) 81
3. Dan Martin (Israel Start-Up Nation) 73

King of the Mountains

1. Guillaume Martin (Cofidis) 27
2. Sepp Kuss (Jumbo-Visma) 24
3. Richard Carapaz (INEOS Grenadiers) 24

What's next?

Thursday sees the riders travel 157.7 kilometres from Castrillo del Val to Aguilar de Campoo - a flat stage that points to a sprint finish.