Vuelta a Espana: Chris Froome slips to fourth as David de la Cruz takes dramatic ninth stage win

Froome finished two minutes and 56 seconds behind stage winner De la Cruz

Froome hopes to be the first man in 38 years to win the Vuelta and Tour de France in the same season (Getty)

Spain's David de la Cruz snatched the red jersey in the Vuelta a Espana with a dramatic stage nine victory, as Britain's Chris Froome finished in fourth.

Etixx Quick-Step rider De la Cruz staged a breakaway with just 600m of the 164.5km stage from Cistierna to Oviedo remaining to leave Dries Devenyns 27 seconds in his wake and Moreno Moser a further six seconds back.

The gap he established over race leader Nairo Quintana was enough to leapfrog him in the overall standings, and he will take a 22-second advantage into stage 10.

Quintana finished in a group with Froome, Johan Esteban Chaves and Alberto Contador 2 minutes and 56 seconds behind the winner.

Froome's Team Sky colleague Leopold Konig was among the same clutch of riders as it crossed the line.

Quintana's Movistar team-mate Alejandro Valverde lies in third place in the overall standings with Tour de France winner Froome in fourth, 49 seconds behind the leader.

PA