George Bennett of New Zealand and Team Israel - Premier Tech Photo: AFP
New Zealand cyclist George Bennett continues to make an impression on the Vuelta a España as the grand tour continues through the mountain stages in northern Spain.
Bennett finished ninth in Tuesday's stage and his 12th placing on Wednesday's 11th stage has moved him up six places into the top ten overall.
He is tenth, 5'46" behind race leader Ben O'Connor of Australia.
Bennett's efforts have helped his Israel Premier Tech team to improve to seventh in the teams classification.
His team-mate and fellow New Zealander Corbin Strong was eleventh in the points (sprint) category.
Bennett was a part of a 38-strong breakaway just before the second climb of the day half way through the 166km stage that included four categorised ascents and more than 3000m of elevation.
The 34-year-old has ridden the Vuelta a España seven times before with his best finish in 2016 when he was tenth overall.
Irishman Eddie Dunbar won the 11th stage in a sprint finish with Bennett four seconds back in the main group.
Ben O'Connor, the overall leader, had a challenging day, finishing in 42nd place. Slovenia's Primoz Roglic cut his rival's lead by 37 seconds, reducing the gap to three minutes and 16 seconds.
There were another four mountain stages before the tour finished in Madrid on 8 September.