Vuelta a Espana: Chris Froome beats Nairo Quintana on stage 11 to heat up battle

Quintana now has a 54-second advantage over Froome, who has climbed up to second place

Froome celebrates crossing the line in Pena Cabarga (Getty)

Chris Froome won Wednesday's 11th stage as the Vuelta a Espana resumed following Tuesday's rest day.

The 31-year-old Team Sky rider won the 168.6-kilometres stage from Colunga to Pena Cabarga, which concluded atop a steep 6km climb.

Five years after winning on the same ascent in the 2011 Vuelta, three-time Tour de France champion Froome accelerated clear to win ahead of Nairo Quintana (Movistar), who retained the overall lead.

Colombia's Quintana now has a 54-second advantage over Froome, who has climbed up to second place.

Spain's Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) had been second overall, but dropped to third, and is now 1min 05secs behind.

Colombia's Esteban Chaves (Orica-Bike Exchange) is fourth, 2:34 behind.

Briton Simon Yates (Orica-Bike Exchange) was sixth on the stage and is seventh overall, 3:25 behind Quintana.

Thursday's 12th stage is the 193.2km undulating route from Los Corrales de Buelna to Bilbao.

PA