Two Slovenian friends took charge of the Spanish Vuelta on Friday, with youngster Tadej Pogacar wining the difficult 13th stage and Primoz Roglic crossing the line just behind him to increase his overall lead.

Pogacar and Roglic moved to the front during the grueling final climb at Los Machucos, getting past breakaway leader Pierre Latour with less than two kilometers (one mile) to go and finishing 27 seconds ahead of their closest chasers.

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UAE Emirates' Team Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia, left, celebrates after winning the stage beside La Vuelta red shirt leaders, Jumbo -Visma's Team Primoz Roglic of Slovenia at the end of the 13th stage between Bilbao-Los Machucos Monumento Vaca Pasiega, 166,4 km kilometers (103,39miles), of the Spanish Vuelta cycling race that finishes Los Machucos, near to San Roque de Riomera, northern Spain, Friday, Sept. 6, 2019. (AP PhotoAlvaro Barrientos)

Two Slovenian friends took charge of the Spanish Vuelta on Friday, with youngster Tadej Pogacar wining the difficult 13th stage and Primoz Roglic crossing the line just behind him to increase his overall lead.

Fans go along the route of the cyclist race next to the finish line during the 13th stage between Bilbao-Los Machucos Monumento Vaca Pasiega, 166,4 km kilometers (103,39miles), of the Spanish Vuelta cycling race that finishes Los Machucos, near to San Roque de Riomera, northern Spain, Friday, Sept. 6, 2019. (AP PhotoAlvaro Barrientos)

Pogacar passed Roglic with less than one kilometer (half a mile) left and held on for his second stage win in this Vuelta. The 20-year-old rider from UAE Team Emirates also won the ninth stage.

Fans take positions along the route of the cyclist race next to the finish line during the 13th stage between Bilbao-Los Machucos Monumento Vaca Pasiega, 166,4 km kilometers (103,39miles), of the Spanish Vuelta cycling race that finishes Los Machucos, near to San Roque de Riomera, northern Spain, Friday, Sept. 6, 2019. (AP PhotoAlvaro Barrientos)

Valverde was fourth in the 166-kilometer (103-mile) stage, behind Latour and ahead of Movistar teammate Nairo Quintana.

A Colombian fan displays a flag in support of Colombian cyclists known as ''Escarabajos'' (Scarabs), reading, ''Accept. Endure. Enjoy'', while waiting next to the finish line during the 13th stage between Bilbao-Los Machucos Monumento Vaca Pasiega, 166,4 km kilometers (103,39miles), of the Spanish Vuelta cycling race that finishes Los Machucos, near to San Roque de Riomera, northern Spain, Friday, Sept. 6, 2019. (AP PhotoAlvaro Barrientos)

Pogacar teammate Fabio Aru didn't race on Friday because of a muscle injury.

Movistar Team Nairo Quintana of Colombia, crosses the finish line at the end of the 13th stage between Bilbao-Los Machucos Monumento Vaca Pasiega, 166,4 km kilometers (103,39 miles), of the Spanish Vuelta cycling race that finishes Los Machucos, near to San Roque de Riomiera, northern Spain, Friday, Sept. 6, 2019. (AP PhotoAlvaro Barrientos)

Movistar Team Nairo Quintana of Colombia, crosses the finish line at the end of the 13th stage between Bilbao-Los Machucos Monumento Vaca Pasiega, 166,4 km kilometers (103,39 miles), of the Spanish Vuelta cycling race that finishes Los Machucos, near to San Roque de Riomiera, northern Spain, Friday, Sept. 6, 2019. (AP PhotoAlvaro Barrientos)

Jumbo -Visma's Team Primoz Roglic of Slovenia, at the end of the 13th stage between Bilbao-Los Machucos Monumento Vaca Pasiega, 166,4 km kilometers (103,39 miles), of the Spanish Vuelta cycling race that finishes Los Machucos, near to San Roque de Riomiera, northern Spain, Friday, Sept. 6, 2019. (AP PhotoAlvaro Barrientos)

Jumbo -Visma's Team Primoz Roglic of Slovenia, at the end of the 13th stage between Bilbao-Los Machucos Monumento Vaca Pasiega, 166,4 km kilometers (103,39 miles), of the Spanish Vuelta cycling race that finishes Los Machucos, near to San Roque de Riomiera, northern Spain, Friday, Sept. 6, 2019. (AP PhotoAlvaro Barrientos)

UAE Emirates' Team Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia, celebrates on the podium after winning the stage at the end of the 13th stage between Bilbao-Los Machucos Monumento Vaca Pasiega, 166,4 km kilometers (103,39miles), of the Spanish Vuelta cycling race that finishes Los Machucos, near to San Roque de Riomera, northern Spain, Friday, Sept. 6, 2019. (AP PhotoAlvaro Barrientos)

UAE Emirates' Team Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia, celebrates on the podium after winning the stage at the end of the 13th stage between Bilbao-Los Machucos Monumento Vaca Pasiega, 166,4 km kilometers (103,39miles), of the Spanish Vuelta cycling race that finishes Los Machucos, near to San Roque de Riomera, northern Spain, Friday, Sept. 6, 2019. (AP PhotoAlvaro Barrientos)

Jumbo -Visma's Team Primoz Roglic of Slovenia, left, and Movistar's Team Nairo Quintana of Colombia, warm up at the end of the 13th stage between Bilbao-Los Machucos Monumento Vaca Pasiega, 166,4 km kilometers (103,39miles), of the Spanish Vuelta cycling race that finishes Los Machucos, near to San Roque de Riomera, northern Spain, Friday, Sept. 6, 2019. (AP PhotoAlvaro Barrientos)

Jumbo -Visma's Team Primoz Roglic of Slovenia, left, and Movistar's Team Nairo Quintana of Colombia, warm up at the end of the 13th stage between Bilbao-Los Machucos Monumento Vaca Pasiega, 166,4 km kilometers (103,39miles), of the Spanish Vuelta cycling race that finishes Los Machucos, near to San Roque de Riomera, northern Spain, Friday, Sept. 6, 2019. (AP PhotoAlvaro Barrientos)

UAE Emirates' Team Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia, left, celebrates on the podium wearing a regional beret after winning the stage at the end of the 13th stage between Bilbao-Los Machucos Monumento Vaca Pasiega, 166,4 km kilometers (103,39miles), of the Spanish Vuelta cycling race that finishes Los Machucos, near to San Roque de Riomera, northern Spain, Friday, Sept. 6, 2019. (AP PhotoAlvaro Barrientos)

UAE Emirates' Team Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia, left, celebrates on the podium wearing a regional beret after winning the stage at the end of the 13th stage between Bilbao-Los Machucos Monumento Vaca Pasiega, 166,4 km kilometers (103,39miles), of the Spanish Vuelta cycling race that finishes Los Machucos, near to San Roque de Riomera, northern Spain, Friday, Sept. 6, 2019. (AP PhotoAlvaro Barrientos)

UAE Emirates' Team Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia, left, celebrates on the podium wearing a regional beret after winning the stage at the end of the 13th stage between Bilbao-Los Machucos Monumento Vaca Pasiega, 166,4 km kilometers (103,39miles), of the Spanish Vuelta cycling race that finishes Los Machucos, near to San Roque de Riomera, northern Spain, Friday, Sept. 6, 2019. (AP PhotoAlvaro Barrientos)

UAE Emirates' Team Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia, left, celebrates on the podium wearing a regional beret after winning the stage at the end of the 13th stage between Bilbao-Los Machucos Monumento Vaca Pasiega, 166,4 km kilometers (103,39miles), of the Spanish Vuelta cycling race that finishes Los Machucos, near to San Roque de Riomera, northern Spain, Friday, Sept. 6, 2019. (AP PhotoAlvaro Barrientos)

"It was a great day for Slovenian cycling to have the two of us at the front," Roglic said. "We gave our whole until the finish. Tadej is of course a big talent with a big future. He is a good friend of mine, a nice guy, and a rival."

UAE Emirates' Team Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia, left, celebrates after winning the stage beside La Vuelta red shirt leaders, Jumbo -Visma's Team Primoz Roglic of Slovenia at the end of the 13th stage between Bilbao-Los Machucos Monumento Vaca Pasiega, 166,4 km kilometers (103,39miles), of the Spanish Vuelta cycling race that finishes Los Machucos, near to San Roque de Riomera, northern Spain, Friday, Sept. 6, 2019. (AP PhotoAlvaro Barrientos)

UAE Emirates' Team Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia, left, celebrates after winning the stage beside La Vuelta red shirt leaders, Jumbo -Visma's Team Primoz Roglic of Slovenia at the end of the 13th stage between Bilbao-Los Machucos Monumento Vaca Pasiega, 166,4 km kilometers (103,39miles), of the Spanish Vuelta cycling race that finishes Los Machucos, near to San Roque de Riomera, northern Spain, Friday, Sept. 6, 2019. (AP PhotoAlvaro Barrientos)

Pogacar passed Roglic with less than one kilometer (half a mile) left and held on for his second stage win in this Vuelta. The 20-year-old rider from UAE Team Emirates also won the ninth stage.

"I can't believe it's my second stage win in my first Grand Tour. I'm extremely happy, so happy I can't even describe it," Pogacar said. "When I heard on the radio nobody was following me and Roglic, I realized it was a good opportunity. It's difficult to go against Roglic, he's really strong. So I'm very happy with what I've done today."

Roglic, a former ski jumper riding with team Jumbo-Visma, opened a gap of 2 minutes, 25 seconds to Spaniard Alejandro Valverde in the general classification. Pogacar moved to third place overall but was more than three minutes behind Roglic.

Fans go along the route of the cyclist race next to the finish line during the 13th stage between Bilbao-Los Machucos Monumento Vaca Pasiega, 166,4 km kilometers (103,39miles), of the Spanish Vuelta cycling race that finishes Los Machucos, near to San Roque de Riomera, northern Spain, Friday, Sept. 6, 2019. (AP PhotoAlvaro Barrientos)

Fans go along the route of the cyclist race next to the finish line during the 13th stage between Bilbao-Los Machucos Monumento Vaca Pasiega, 166,4 km kilometers (103,39miles), of the Spanish Vuelta cycling race that finishes Los Machucos, near to San Roque de Riomera, northern Spain, Friday, Sept. 6, 2019. (AP PhotoAlvaro Barrientos)

Valverde was fourth in the 166-kilometer (103-mile) stage, behind Latour and ahead of Movistar teammate Nairo Quintana.

The stage started with the peloton going around the field at Athletic Bilbao's San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao. Riders then faced seven mountain passes.

They will get a relative break on Saturday in a 188-kilometer (117-mile) flat stage that will finish in Oviedo.

Fans take positions along the route of the cyclist race next to the finish line during the 13th stage between Bilbao-Los Machucos Monumento Vaca Pasiega, 166,4 km kilometers (103,39miles), of the Spanish Vuelta cycling race that finishes Los Machucos, near to San Roque de Riomera, northern Spain, Friday, Sept. 6, 2019. (AP PhotoAlvaro Barrientos)

Fans take positions along the route of the cyclist race next to the finish line during the 13th stage between Bilbao-Los Machucos Monumento Vaca Pasiega, 166,4 km kilometers (103,39miles), of the Spanish Vuelta cycling race that finishes Los Machucos, near to San Roque de Riomera, northern Spain, Friday, Sept. 6, 2019. (AP PhotoAlvaro Barrientos)

Pogacar teammate Fabio Aru didn't race on Friday because of a muscle injury.

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A Colombian fan displays a flag in support of Colombian cyclists known as ''Escarabajos'' (Scarabs), reading, ''Accept. Endure. Enjoy'', while waiting next to the finish line during the 13th stage between Bilbao-Los Machucos Monumento Vaca Pasiega, 166,4 km kilometers (103,39miles), of the Spanish Vuelta cycling race that finishes Los Machucos, near to San Roque de Riomera, northern Spain, Friday, Sept. 6, 2019. (AP PhotoAlvaro Barrientos)

A Colombian fan displays a flag in support of Colombian cyclists known as ''Escarabajos'' (Scarabs), reading, ''Accept. Endure. Enjoy'', while waiting next to the finish line during the 13th stage between Bilbao-Los Machucos Monumento Vaca Pasiega, 166,4 km kilometers (103,39miles), of the Spanish Vuelta cycling race that finishes Los Machucos, near to San Roque de Riomera, northern Spain, Friday, Sept. 6, 2019. (AP PhotoAlvaro Barrientos)

Movistar Team Nairo Quintana of Colombia, crosses the finish line at the end of the 13th stage between Bilbao-Los Machucos Monumento Vaca Pasiega, 166,4 km kilometers (103,39 miles), of the Spanish Vuelta cycling race that finishes Los Machucos, near to San Roque de Riomiera, northern Spain, Friday, Sept. 6, 2019. (AP PhotoAlvaro Barrientos)

Movistar Team Nairo Quintana of Colombia, crosses the finish line at the end of the 13th stage between Bilbao-Los Machucos Monumento Vaca Pasiega, 166,4 km kilometers (103,39 miles), of the Spanish Vuelta cycling race that finishes Los Machucos, near to San Roque de Riomiera, northern Spain, Friday, Sept. 6, 2019. (AP PhotoAlvaro Barrientos)

Jumbo -Visma's Team Primoz Roglic of Slovenia, at the end of the 13th stage between Bilbao-Los Machucos Monumento Vaca Pasiega, 166,4 km kilometers (103,39 miles), of the Spanish Vuelta cycling race that finishes Los Machucos, near to San Roque de Riomiera, northern Spain, Friday, Sept. 6, 2019. (AP PhotoAlvaro Barrientos)

Jumbo -Visma's Team Primoz Roglic of Slovenia, at the end of the 13th stage between Bilbao-Los Machucos Monumento Vaca Pasiega, 166,4 km kilometers (103,39 miles), of the Spanish Vuelta cycling race that finishes Los Machucos, near to San Roque de Riomiera, northern Spain, Friday, Sept. 6, 2019. (AP PhotoAlvaro Barrientos)

UAE Emirates' Team Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia, celebrates on the podium after winning the stage at the end of the 13th stage between Bilbao-Los Machucos Monumento Vaca Pasiega, 166,4 km kilometers (103,39miles), of the Spanish Vuelta cycling race that finishes Los Machucos, near to San Roque de Riomera, northern Spain, Friday, Sept. 6, 2019. (AP PhotoAlvaro Barrientos)

UAE Emirates' Team Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia, celebrates on the podium after winning the stage at the end of the 13th stage between Bilbao-Los Machucos Monumento Vaca Pasiega, 166,4 km kilometers (103,39miles), of the Spanish Vuelta cycling race that finishes Los Machucos, near to San Roque de Riomera, northern Spain, Friday, Sept. 6, 2019. (AP PhotoAlvaro Barrientos)

Jumbo -Visma's Team Primoz Roglic of Slovenia, left, and Movistar's Team Nairo Quintana of Colombia, warm up at the end of the 13th stage between Bilbao-Los Machucos Monumento Vaca Pasiega, 166,4 km kilometers (103,39miles), of the Spanish Vuelta cycling race that finishes Los Machucos, near to San Roque de Riomera, northern Spain, Friday, Sept. 6, 2019. (AP PhotoAlvaro Barrientos)

Jumbo -Visma's Team Primoz Roglic of Slovenia, left, and Movistar's Team Nairo Quintana of Colombia, warm up at the end of the 13th stage between Bilbao-Los Machucos Monumento Vaca Pasiega, 166,4 km kilometers (103,39miles), of the Spanish Vuelta cycling race that finishes Los Machucos, near to San Roque de Riomera, northern Spain, Friday, Sept. 6, 2019. (AP PhotoAlvaro Barrientos)

UAE Emirates' Team Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia, left, celebrates on the podium wearing a regional beret after winning the stage at the end of the 13th stage between Bilbao-Los Machucos Monumento Vaca Pasiega, 166,4 km kilometers (103,39miles), of the Spanish Vuelta cycling race that finishes Los Machucos, near to San Roque de Riomera, northern Spain, Friday, Sept. 6, 2019. (AP PhotoAlvaro Barrientos)

UAE Emirates' Team Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia, left, celebrates on the podium wearing a regional beret after winning the stage at the end of the 13th stage between Bilbao-Los Machucos Monumento Vaca Pasiega, 166,4 km kilometers (103,39miles), of the Spanish Vuelta cycling race that finishes Los Machucos, near to San Roque de Riomera, northern Spain, Friday, Sept. 6, 2019. (AP PhotoAlvaro Barrientos)

UAE Emirates' Team Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia, left, celebrates on the podium wearing a regional beret after winning the stage at the end of the 13th stage between Bilbao-Los Machucos Monumento Vaca Pasiega, 166,4 km kilometers (103,39miles), of the Spanish Vuelta cycling race that finishes Los Machucos, near to San Roque de Riomera, northern Spain, Friday, Sept. 6, 2019. (AP PhotoAlvaro Barrientos)

UAE Emirates' Team Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia, left, celebrates on the podium wearing a regional beret after winning the stage at the end of the 13th stage between Bilbao-Los Machucos Monumento Vaca Pasiega, 166,4 km kilometers (103,39miles), of the Spanish Vuelta cycling race that finishes Los Machucos, near to San Roque de Riomera, northern Spain, Friday, Sept. 6, 2019. (AP PhotoAlvaro Barrientos)