photo credits @ WTFK
The final stage of the Vuelta a España was shortened due to protests in Madrid. After three weeks of racing across Italian, French, Andorran and Spanish roads, the peloton started the final stage from Alalpardo but was stopped upon reaching the Spanish capital, where the stage ended early to ensure the safety of the riders, and no podium ceremony was held. Two-time Tour de France winner Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) claimed victory in the 80th edition of the Vuelta, making Denmark the 15th nation to win the Spanish Grand Tour.
Vingegaard was joined on the overall podium by Joao Almeida (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) and Tom Pidcock (Q36.5), the first MTB Olympic Champion to finish in a Grand Tour top 3, while Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) won the green jersey for a second time, becoming the second rider in history to win the points standings of both the Giro and the Vuelta in the same year, after Eddy Merckx in 1973.
Earlier, the peloton set off from Alalpardo with Jonas Vingegaard participating in the first photo session alongside his Danish compatriots Mads Pedersen (winner of the green jersey), Mikkel Bjerg, Chris Juul-Jensen, Anders Foldager and Jonas Gregaard.
From there, peloton slowly made its way to Madrid, where riders were stoped after protestors invaded the road, effectively curtailing the final stage in the interest of safety with no podium ceremony held.
Vingegaard was confirmed as the overall leader, followed by runner-up Joao Almeida (UAE Team Emirates-XRG), while Tom Pidcock (Q36.5) secured the final spot, the first Briton in 40 years since Robert Millar (now Philippa York) last stood on the podium.
Elsewhere, Pedersen claimed the second points classification, while Jay Vine (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) doubled up in the KOM standings, retaining the polka-dot jersey for a second consecutive year.
Other awards went to Matthew Riccitello (best young rider), UAE Team Emirates-XRG (team classification) and Joel Nicolau (most aggressive rider).
You must be logged in to post a comment.
