MADRID, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- Belgian rider Remco Evenepoel of Soudal Quick-Step produced another magnificent solo ride to win his third stage in the Vuelta de Espana on Thursday, assuring himself of the blue and white jersey as the race's best climber.

Evenepoel got into a 14-man break at the start of the mountainous 18th stage, between Pola de Allande and Cruz de Linares in northern Spain.

The group soon opened a lead of 10 minutes over the main peloton, with Evenepoel first over the San Lorenzo climb to ensure he will wear the climber's jersey in Madrid on Sunday, as his lead in the competition is now higher than the number of climbing points left in the race.

Despite ensuring a place on the podium, Evenepoel pressed on, and after crowning the Puerto de la Cruz de Linares, he had a two-minute lead over his closest pursuers, Max Poole of DSM-firmenich and Bahrain Victorious' Damiano Caruso, and was over 11 minutes ahead of the peloton.

Evenepoel crossed the line in four minutes and 46 seconds, ahead of Carruso, to highlight his dominance of the day.

Friday is a flat stage, which shouldn't produce changes in the overall lead, before Saturday has a 'half-mountain' stage to the north of Madrid.