MADRID, Spain (14 September 2025) – The final week of La Vuelta a España 2025 delivered the dramatic crescendo this race deserved, culminating in Jonas Vingegaard’s historic triumph as the first Danish winner of the Spanish Grand Tour. What began as a battle between two evenly matched titans in Galicia evolved into something far more decisive on the slopes of Bola del Mundo, where the two-time Tour de France champion finally broke the resistance of João Almeida to claim La Roja in commanding fashion.
From Egan Bernal’s emotional return to victory after his life-changing crash to young Giulio Pellizzari’s breakthrough triumph and the unprecedented scenes in Madrid where protests forced an early finish, these six days encapsulated everything that makes La Vuelta cycling’s most unpredictable Grand Tour. Through tactical brilliance, raw courage, and moments of pure drama, Vingegaard emerged as a worthy champion of cycling’s most demanding three-week test.
Stage 16: Bernal’s Redemption in Galicia
Poio > Mos.Castro de Herville, 167.9km (September 9, 2025)
The race into Galicia delivered both triumph and chaos, as Egan Bernal claimed his first victory since returning from his career-threatening crash in January 2022, while stage protests forced an 8-kilometer reduction in the route. The Colombian legend’s 58th professional victory proved he remains one of cycling’s most formidable forces, even on shortened stages.
The opening of Vuelta’s final week saw attacks fly immediately as riders sensed their last opportunities for glory on Spanish soil. After 50 kilometers of fierce racing, four riders – Andrea Bagioli (Lidl-Trek), Bob Jungels (Ineos Grenadiers), Finlay Pickering (Bahrain Victorious), and Victor Guernalec (Arkéa-B&B Hotels) – established the day’s foundation.
Their advantage proved short-lived as thirteen chasers bridged across, creating a formidable 17-man group featuring Bernal alongside Mikel Landa (Soudal Quick-Step), Marc Soler (UAE Team Emirates-XRG), and an international cast including Jefferson Cepeda, Sean Quinn, and Mauri Vansevenant.
Visma-Lease a Bike’s controlled pace behind allowed the gap to grow to four minutes en route to Alto de San Antoñino, but the real selection came on the second climb at Alto do Graba. Landa’s acceleration three kilometers from the summit dropped all but Bernal and Clément Braz Afonso, with Nico Denz joining on the downhill.
The drama intensified when race organizers announced via Radio Vuelta that protests would force the finish line to move 8 kilometers earlier to Mos. This development added urgency to the finale, though it couldn’t diminish Bernal’s tactical mastery.
On the penultimate ascent of Alto de Prado, the Colombian icon showed his class, distancing Denz and Rolland before entering the finale with only Landa for company. Their two-man sprint showcased contrasting styles – Landa’s explosive acceleration versus Bernal’s sustained power – with the former Giro and Tour de France winner timing his kick perfectly.
“This marks my first success in an international race since my crash,” Bernal reflected afterward. “I was already a winner in the Giro, and I was leading stage 19 of the Tour de France 2019 when it was shortened due to weather conditions. Today brings back many emotions.”
Behind the breakaway celebration, the GC battle continued its inexorable development. Felix Gall (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale) lost crucial time, conceding 54 seconds to his rivals as Bahrain Victorious set a fierce pace to protect Torstein Træen’s top-ten position. Jonas Vingegaard maintained La Roja with characteristic composure, but the margins remained razor-thin heading toward the decisive stages ahead.
Stage 16 Results
| Place | Rider | Team | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Egan Bernal | INEOS Grenadiers | 3:35:10 |
| 2 | Mikel Landa | Soudal Quick-Step | 3:35:10 |
| 3 | Brieuc Rolland | Groupama-FDJ | 3:35:17 |
| 4 | Nico Denz | Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe | 3:36:12 |
| 5 | Carlos Braz Afonso | Groupama-FDJ | 3:36:12 |
| 6 | Bob Jungels | INEOS Grenadiers | 3:36:20 |
| 7 | Kevin Vermaerke | Team Picnic PostNL | 3:36:22 |
| 8 | Xander Pickering | Bahrain Victorious | 3:36:22 |
| 9 | Sean Quinn | EF Education-EasyPost | 3:37:58 |
| 10 | Rudy Molard | Groupama-FDJ | 3:37:58 |
General Classification after Stage 16
| Place | Rider | Team | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jonas Vingegaard | Team Visma | Lease a Bike | 61:16:35 |
| 2 | João Almeida | UAE Team Emirates XRG | 61:17:23 |
| 3 | Tom Pidcock | Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team | 61:19:13 |
| 4 | Jai Hindley | Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe | 61:19:45 |
| 5 | Giulio Pellizzari | Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe | 61:20:56 |
| 6 | Felix Gall | Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team | 61:20:59 |
| 7 | Matthew Riccitello | Israel-Premier Tech | 61:21:28 |
| 8 | Sepp Kuss | Team Visma | Lease a Bike | 61:22:21 |
| 9 | Torstein Træen | Bahrain Victorious | 61:23:08 |
| 10 | Julien Lecerf | Soudal Quick-Step | 61:24:39 |
Jersey Holders after Stage 16:
- Red Jersey (La Roja) – Overall Leader: Jonas Vingegaard (Team Visma | Lease a Bike)
- Green Jersey – Points: Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek)
- Blue and White Polka-dot Jersey – King of the Mountains: Jay Vine (UAE Team Emirates XRG)
- White Jersey – Best Young Rider: Giulio Pellizzari (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe)
Stage 17: Pellizzari’s Spectacular Breakthrough
O Barco de Valdeorras > Alto de El Morredero, 143.2km (September 10, 2025)
Two and a half months before his 22nd birthday, Giulio Pellizzari announced himself to the cycling world with a stunning solo victory atop Alto de El Morredero. The young Italian’s triumph marked the culmination of a perfect storm – exceptional individual talent, shrewd team tactics, and the kind of racing intelligence that transforms promising juniors into Grand Tour stage winners.
The unprecedented ascent of El Morredero provided the perfect stage for breakthrough performances, with its 8.8-kilometer climb at 9.7% offering no hiding place for pretenders. Starting from O Barco de Valdeorras, the peloton faced 3,500 meters of elevation that would test both legs and tactical acumen.
Early attacks hinted at both GC and breakaway possibilities, creating the chaotic opening that has become La Vuelta’s signature. Eight riders established the initial break at kilometer 25: Brandon Rivera (Ineos Grenadiers), Madis Mihkels (EF Education-EasyPost), Antonio Tiberi (Bahrain Victorious), Harold Tejada (XDS Astana), Patrick Gamper (Jayco AlUla), Luca Van Boven (Intermarché-Wanty), Timo Roosen (Picnic PostNL), and Jonas Gregaard (Lotto).
Fifteen kilometers later, four more riders bridged across: Joel Nicolau (Caja Rural-Seguros RGA), Léandre Lozouet (Arkéa-B&B Hotels), Sergio Samitier (Cofidis), and Gijs Leemreize (Picnic PostNL). Their 12-man group would provide the foundation for the day’s dramatic finale.
Visma-Lease a Bike’s control proved masterful, maintaining the gap at 1’50” at the base of Paso de las Travesias while Dylan van Baarle and Wilco Kelderman enforced discipline behind. The controlled tempo suggested Vingegaard’s confidence in his climbing form, though few could have predicted the dramatic conclusion awaiting on El Morredero’s exposed slopes.
Nicolau’s victory at the intermediate sprint in Almazcara demonstrated the breakaway’s commitment, though accelerations from Van Boven and Roosen briefly threatened their cohesion. Antonio Tiberi’s late attacks provided additional drama, drawing out Harold Tejada and eventually Samitier and Leemreize before the inevitable regrouping.
The final 12 kilometers witnessed pure climbing theater. Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe drove the peloton to the base of El Morredero, but Visma-Lease a Bike assumed control on the opening gradients – the hardest section of the climb. Jai Hindley’s attack with 6 kilometers remaining drew immediate responses from Vingegaard, Tom Pidcock, and Matthew Riccitello, with Almeida and Pellizzari making contact shortly after.
Pellizzari’s moment came with 4 kilometers remaining. The young Italian’s acceleration was devastating, immediately opening a 30-second gap that would prove insurmountable. His tactical intelligence matched his physical gifts – recognizing that with two Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe riders in the six-man group, nobody else would commit to a pursuit that might compromise their own podium chances.
“This is the best moment of my career, a short career until now,” Pellizzari reflected afterward. “Today I had a strange feeling. I felt a bit it could be my day. And I have to thank my team, especially Jai [Hindley]. In the last kilometres, there were two riders from our team out of six riders in the front. I was thinking: ‘If I go, nobody will follow.’ And that’s how it went.”
His victory margin – 16 seconds over Pidcock and 18 over Hindley – reflected the quality of opposition rather than any weakness in his performance. The Italian had timed his acceleration perfectly, choosing the steepest section where pure power would be decisive before maintaining his advantage through the flatter finale.
Stage 17 Results
| Place | Rider | Team | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Giulio Pellizzari | Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe | 3:37:00 |
| 2 | Tom Pidcock | Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team | 3:37:16 |
| 3 | Jai Hindley | Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe | 3:37:18 |
| 4 | Jonas Vingegaard | Team Visma | Lease a Bike | 3:37:20 |
| 5 | João Almeida | UAE Team Emirates XRG | 3:37:22 |
| 6 | Matthew Riccitello | Israel-Premier Tech | 3:37:26 |
| 7 | Felix Gall | Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team | 3:37:53 |
| 8 | Torstein Træen | Bahrain Victorious | 3:37:53 |
| 9 | Sepp Kuss | Team Visma | Lease a Bike | 3:37:58 |
| 10 | Matteo Jorgenson | Team Visma | Lease a Bike | 3:38:44 |
General Classification after Stage 17
| Place | Rider | Team | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jonas Vingegaard Hansen | Team Visma | Lease a Bike | 64:53:55 |
| 2 | João Almeida | UAE Team Emirates XRG | 64:54:45 |
| 3 | Tom Pidcock | Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team | 64:56:23 |
| 4 | Jai Hindley | Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe | 64:56:59 |
| 5 | Giulio Pellizzari | Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe | 64:57:46 |
| 6 | Felix Gall | Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team | 64:58:52 |
| 7 | Matthew Riccitello | Israel-Premier Tech | 64:58:54 |
| 8 | Sepp Kuss | Team Visma | Lease a Bike | 65:00:19 |
| 9 | Torstein Træen | Bahrain Victorious | 65:01:01 |
| 10 | Matteo Jorgenson | Team Visma | Lease a Bike | 65:04:11 |
Jersey Holders after Stage 17:
- Red Jersey (La Roja) – Overall Leader: Jonas Vingegaard (Team Visma | Lease a Bike)
- Green Jersey – Points: Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek)
- Blue and White Polka-dot Jersey – King of the Mountains: Jay Vine (UAE Team Emirates XRG)
- White Jersey – Best Young Rider: Giulio Pellizzari (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe)
Stage 18: Ganna’s Time Trial Masterclass Shifts GC Dynamics
Valladolid > Valladolid, 12.2km Individual Time Trial (September 11, 2025)
Filippo Ganna’s thunderous return to form delivered the time trial exhibition this Vuelta demanded, while the GC battle took its most significant turn yet as João Almeida clawed back precious seconds on Jonas Vingegaard. On the shortened but technically demanding 12.2-kilometer course through Valladolid’s historic streets, the Italian powered to his eighth Grand Tour individual time trial victory at an average speed of 56.2 km/h – a performance that rewarded two weeks of suffering in service of his team.
The two-time world time trial champion’s dominance was immediately apparent as he scorched through the multiple corners and technical sections that broke the rhythm of lesser specialists. Starting 17th overall, Ganna demolished Dan Hoole’s early benchmark of 13:19, setting a devastating time of 13:00 that would prove untouchable despite the quality of the field behind him.
Fourteen national time trial champions lined up in Valladolid’s late afternoon sunshine, each harboring hopes of challenging the Italian’s supremacy. Ivo Oliveira (UAE Emirates XRG) came closest among the early starters, finishing 11 seconds back, while Mads Pedersen’s 21-second deficit demonstrated the gulf between sprinter-specialists and pure time trialists on technical courses.
Stefan Küng’s challenge fell 12 seconds short despite the Swiss powerhouse’s renowned technical skills, while Bruno Armirail (Décathlon-AG2R La Mondiale) managed an impressive fourth place, 10 seconds behind Ganna. But it was Jay Vine’s extraordinary performance that provided the day’s most dramatic moment – the Australian climber missing victory by just 0.90 seconds in what would have been one of the most unlikely time trial victories in Grand Tour history.
“I think I suffered more during the last three hours in the hotseat than on the bike,” Ganna laughed afterward. “I did not find the correct rhythm in the first part, and then in the final part I pushed without thinking about numbers or anything. After my big crash in the Tour de France, it has not been easy to be back on the bike.”
The real drama unfolded in the battle for La Roja. Vingegaard approached the stage hoping to extend his advantage, but Almeida’s third-place finish behind his teammate Vine proved decisive. The Portuguese rider gained 10 crucial seconds on the race leader, reducing the deficit to just 40 seconds with three stages remaining.
“I think I can be pretty happy with how it went today,” Vingegaard reflected, though his ninth-place finish represented a rare tactical miscalculation. “I think, on a flat time trial like this, it suited a bit more the bigger guys, so to do this well in such a time trial I think that’s good for me. I’ve never done 55kph average on a time trial before.”
Vine’s near-miss provided consolation for UAE Team Emirates-XRG’s time trial ambitions while reinforcing his climbing credentials. “Time-wise, probably it was one of my best time trials,” the Australian admitted. “To come 2nd to Ganna it’s incredible, just beaten by one of the best time trialists in the world. Nothing more that I could do.”
The stage reshaped the white jersey competition as well, with Pellizzari losing 10 seconds to his closest rival after gaining 30 the previous day. The Italian remained sanguine: “I think that it was too short for me today. I was a bit tired after yesterday and I was expecting better, but it was important to save the result.”
Stage 18 Results
| Place | Rider | Team | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Filippo Ganna | INEOS Grenadiers | 0:13:00 |
| 2 | Jay Vine | UAE Team Emirates XRG | 0:13:01 |
| 3 | Joao Almeida | UAE Team Emirates XRG | 0:13:08 |
| 4 | Bruno Armirail | Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team | 0:13:10 |
| 5 | Ivo Oliveira | UAE Team Emirates XRG | 0:13:11 |
| 6 | Stefan Küng | Groupama-FDJ | 0:13:12 |
| 7 | Kelland O’Brien | Team Jayco AlUla | 0:13:15 |
| 8 | Alec Segaert | Lotto | 0:13:16 |
| 9 | Jonas Vingegaard | Team Visma | Lease a Bike | 0:13:18 |
| 10 | Daan Hoole | Lidl-Trek | 0:13:19 |
General Classification after Stage 18
| Place | Rider | Team | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jonas Vingegaard | Team Visma | Lease a Bike | 65:07:13 |
| 2 | Joao Almeida | UAE Team Emirates XRG | 65:07:53 |
| 3 | Tom Pidcock | Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team | 65:09:52 |
| 4 | Jai Hindley | Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe | 65:10:31 |
| 5 | Giulio Pellizzari | Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe | 65:11:32 |
| 6 | Matthew Riccitello | Israel-Premier Tech | 65:12:30 |
| 7 | Felix Gall | Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team | 65:12:33 |
| 8 | Sepp Kuss | Team Visma | Lease a Bike | 65:14:39 |
| 9 | Torstein Træen | Bahrain Victorious | 65:14:55 |
| 10 | Matteo Jorgenson | Team Visma | Lease a Bike | 65:17:32 |
Jersey Holders after Stage 18:
- Red Jersey (La Roja) – Overall Leader: Jonas Vingegaard (Team Visma | Lease a Bike)
- Green Jersey – Points: Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek)
- Blue and White Polka-dot Jersey – King of the Mountains: Jay Vine (UAE Team Emirates XRG)
- White Jersey – Best Young Rider: Giulio Pellizzari (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe)
Stage 19: Philipsen’s Sprint Mastery and Vingegaard’s Tactical Gambit
Rueda > Guijuelo, 161.9km (September 12, 2025)
Jasper Philipsen’s third stage victory of this Vuelta demonstrated pure sprint mastery, while Jonas Vingegaard’s strategic thinking at the intermediate sprint added four precious seconds to his overall lead. On the penultimate stage offering flat racing and respite from the mountains, the Belgian speedster’s triumph consolidated his dominance of the bunch sprints while race tactics continued to evolve ahead of Saturday’s decisive showdown.
The 161.9-kilometer journey from Rueda to Guijuelo provided cycling’s speed merchants their final opportunity since Philipsen’s Zaragoza victory on stage 8. With just 1,117 meters of elevation and no categorized climbs, the route promised pure sprint racing – though crosswinds around Salamanca threatened to rewrite any simple script.
Jakub Otruba (Caja Rural-Seguros-RGA) reprised his role as serial attacker, launching himself from the flag drop for the second time in recent stages. Victor Guernalec (Arkéa-B&B Hotels) briefly joined the Czech rider’s audacious move before dropping back, leaving Otruba to face 145 kilometers of solo racing against the combined might of Alpecin-Deceuninck and Lotto.
The gap reached a maximum of four minutes after 40 kilometers as Philipsen’s lead-out train and Elia Viviani’s sprint squad shared pacing duties. Their measured approach suggested confidence in reeling in the lone attacker, though the persistent crosswinds demanded constant vigilance from nervous GC contenders.
Vingegaard’s tactical masterstroke came at the intermediate sprint in Salamanca, 103 kilometers into the stage. With Otruba still maintaining a one-minute advantage, the race leader seized his opportunity for bonus seconds, taking second place behind the breakaway rider to extend his GC lead over Almeida to 44 seconds.
“I wouldn’t call it winning a bunch sprint… I took a few seconds there,” Vingegaard said afterward. “We were in a good position so we went for the intermediate sprint. It was improvised. We just saw that we were in the front and we said: ‘Why not try?’ If we could get four seconds, then it was worth it.”
Otruba’s brave effort ended with 52 kilometers remaining as the peloton’s pace intensified through the valley’s crosswinds. Mario Aparicio and Sergio Chumil (Burgos Burpellet BH) attempted a late countermove 11 kilometers later, but Alpecin-Deceuninck and Visma-Lease a Bike’s acceleration nullified their hopes 35 kilometers from the finish.
The finale unfolded with textbook precision. Filippo Ganna’s lead-out work for Ben Turner brought INEOS Grenadiers to the front entering the final kilometer, but Alpecin-Deceuninck’s superior organization proved decisive. Ed Planckaert’s perfect timing delivered Philipsen into the ideal position for his devastating kick.
“It was a really tough finish line, after eleven days not going this deep, it definitely hurts,” Philipsen reflected. “We knew how the finale was, rising and then a bit more flat in the final 250 metres. The team set me with an amazing timing and it was all out in the final kilometre.”
The uphill drag to the line suited Philipsen’s explosive power perfectly, though Mads Pedersen’s second place confirmed his stranglehold on the green jersey. With a 100-point margin over Vingegaard and just 110 points available in the remaining stages, the Danish champion had effectively secured his second points classification victory.
“No, not really surprised that Jonas Vingegaard did the intermediate sprint,” Pedersen acknowledged. “I knew it would happen and we talked together. There were bonifications in that sprint, and he needs the seconds more than I need the points right now.”
Stage 19 Results
| Place | Rider | Team | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jasper Philipsen | Alpecin-Deceuninck | 3:50:35 |
| 2 | Mads Pedersen | Lidl-Trek | 3:50:35 |
| 3 | Orluis Alberto Aular Sanabria | Movistar Team | 3:50:35 |
| 4 | Jenthe Biermans | Arkea-B&B Hotels | 3:50:35 |
| 5 | Ben Turner | INEOS Grenadiers | 3:50:35 |
| 6 | Arne Marit | Intermarché-Wanty | 3:50:35 |
| 7 | Fabio Christen | Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team | 3:50:35 |
| 8 | Ethan Vernon | Israel-Premier Tech | 3:50:35 |
| 9 | Thomas Gruel | Groupama-FDJ | 3:50:35 |
| 10 | Jordan Labrosse | Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team | 3:50:35 |
General Classification after Stage 19
| Place | Rider | Team | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jonas Vingegaard Hansen | Team Visma | Lease a Bike | 68:57:44 |
| 2 | João Almeida | UAE Team Emirates XRG | 68:58:28 |
| 3 | Tom Pidcock | Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team | 69:00:27 |
| 4 | Jai Hindley | Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe | 69:01:06 |
| 5 | Giulio Pellizzari | Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe | 69:02:07 |
| 6 | Matthew Riccitello | Israel-Premier Tech | 69:03:05 |
| 7 | Felix Gall | Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team | 69:03:08 |
| 8 | Sepp Kuss | Team Visma | Lease a Bike | 69:05:14 |
| 9 | Torstein Træen | Bahrain Victorious | 69:05:30 |
| 10 | Matteo Jorgenson | Team Visma | Lease a Bike | 69:08:05 |
Jersey Holders after Stage 19:
- Red Jersey (La Roja) – Overall Leader: Jonas Vingegaard (Team Visma | Lease a Bike)
- Green Jersey – Points: Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek)
- Blue and White Polka-dot Jersey – King of the Mountains: Jay Vine (UAE Team Emirates XRG)
- White Jersey – Best Young Rider: Giulio Pellizzari (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe)
Stage 20: Vingegaard’s Crowning Glory atop Bola del Mundo
Robledo de Chavela > Bola del Mundo. Puerto de Navacerrada, 159km (September 13, 2025)
Jonas Vingegaard delivered the performance of a champion when it mattered most, powering to a decisive solo victory atop Bola del Mundo that effectively sealed his first La Vuelta triumph. With 1.2 kilometers remaining on the steepest gradients of the Spanish Grand Tour’s final climb, the Danish climbing specialist unleashed an acceleration that none could follow, crowning himself on the highest summit of this edition at 2,251 meters above sea level.
The stage with the most elevation – 4,226 meters packed into 159 kilometers – provided the perfect theater for La Vuelta’s final mountain showdown. Starting uphill on the Alto de la Escondida, the route promised a day-long battle of attrition before the decisive encounter on the brutal three final kilometers of Bola del Mundo.
INEOS Grenadiers forced the early racing with characteristic aggression. Filippo Ganna’s opening attack drew immediate responses from Egan Bernal, Michal Kwiatkowski, Bob Jungels, and Brandon Rivera, establishing the foundation for what would become a massive 37-man breakaway on the Alto de Parpadilla.
The composition was extraordinary: Bernal and his INEOS teammates controlled the break while Lidl-Trek deployed four riders including local hero Carlos Verona, Mads Pedersen, Giulio Ciccone, and Julien Bernard. Serial attackers like Eddie Dunbar (Jayco AlUla) and Mikel Landa (Soudal Quick-Step) provided additional firepower, though the peloton maintained firm control.
UAE Team Emirates-XRG and Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe’s collaboration behind kept the gap under two minutes, their tactical alliance reflecting the stakes involved. The breakaway conquered the Alto del Leon before exploding on the Alto de Navacerrada, where Jardi van der Lee (EF Education-EasyPost) emerged first from the remnants.
At the base of the final climb, van der Lee held company with Bernal, Landa, and Ciccone, maintaining a minute’s advantage over the drastically reduced bunch. The 12.3-kilometer ascent at 8.6% would test every fiber of strength and will, with gradients reaching 20% on the decisive final sections.
Ciccone and Landa rapidly isolated themselves at the front while UAE Team Emirates-XRG ramped up the pressure behind. Jay Vine’s pace-setting drew out the final selection before stepping aside for Almeida’s signature acceleration. The Portuguese rider’s effort caught the break leaders three kilometers from the summit, setting up the climactic GC battle.
Jai Hindley’s attack with 2.5 kilometers remaining demonstrated Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe’s commitment to the podium fight. The Australian’s move drew immediate responses from Vingegaard, Sepp Kuss, Almeida, and Tom Pidcock, establishing the sextet that would decide La Vuelta’s destiny.
Vingegaard’s moment came with 1.2 kilometers remaining. His acceleration was instantaneous and devastating, immediately gapping the group on gradients that reached their maximum severity. The sight of the race leader in La Roja powering away from cycling’s elite on the sport’s highest stage provided a fitting climax to three weeks of exceptional racing.
“Of course, I wanted to win in Bilbao and at L’Angliru, but Bola del Mundo is also something special,” Vingegaard reflected. “To be honest, I started to feel a bit better today, better than the previous mountain top finishes, so I’m happy with how things have turned for me today and with how the team has done over the last three weeks.”
Kuss’s second place on his 31st birthday highlighted Visma-Lease a Bike’s dominance, with Hindley completing the podium at 13 seconds. Pidcock’s fourth place at 18 seconds secured his overall podium position, while Almeida’s fifth at 22 seconds reflected the Portuguese rider’s valiant but ultimately futile chase.
The stage witnessed a dramatic late change in the white jersey classification as Matthew Riccitello’s exceptional ride to sixth place at 47 seconds earned him the best young rider classification, overtaking Pellizzari who paid for his efforts the previous day.
“It couldn’t have gone any better,” Riccitello reflected afterward. “The white jersey was a goal going into the stage. If it didn’t happen, it had been a good Vuelta up until this point anyway. I went into the stage like I had nothing to lose.”
Jay Vine’s seventh place secured the polka-dot jersey outright, completing a dominant campaign in the mountains classification. “Winning the polka dot jersey is a bittersweet victory, I guess,” the Australian admitted. “The goal was to try to win La Vuelta. Unfortunately, we came up short.”
Stage 20 Results
| Place | Rider | Team | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jonas Vingegaard | Team Visma | Lease a Bike | 3:56:23 |
| 2 | Sepp Kuss | Team Visma | Lease a Bike | 3:56:34 |
| 3 | Jai Hindley | Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe | 3:56:36 |
| 4 | Tom Pidcock | Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team | 3:56:41 |
| 5 | João Almeida | UAE Team Emirates XRG | 3:56:45 |
| 6 | Matthew Riccitello | Israel-Premier Tech | 3:56:47 |
| 7 | Jay Vine | UAE Team Emirates XRG | 3:57:10 |
| 8 | Giulio Ciccone | Lidl-Trek | 3:57:34 |
| 9 | Jan Hirt Lecerf | Soudal Quick-Step | 3:57:45 |
| 10 | Xander Pickering | Bahrain Victorious | 3:57:53 |
General Classification after Stage 20
| Place | Rider | Team | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jonas Vingegaard | Team Visma | Lease a Bike | 72:53:57 |
| 2 | João Almeida | UAE Team Emirates XRG | 72:55:13 |
| 3 | Tom Pidcock | Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team | 72:57:08 |
| 4 | Jai Hindley | Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe | 72:57:38 |
| 5 | Matthew Riccitello | Israel-Premier Tech | 72:59:52 |
| 6 | Giulio Pellizzari | Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe | 73:01:20 |
| 7 | Sepp Kuss | Team Visma | Lease a Bike | 73:01:42 |
| 8 | Felix Gall | Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team | 73:01:47 |
| 9 | Torstein Træen | Bahrain Victorious | 73:03:45 |
| 10 | Matteo Jorgenson | Team Visma | Lease a Bike | 73:06:13 |
Jersey Holders after Stage 20:
- Red Jersey (La Roja) – Overall Leader: Jonas Vingegaard (Team Visma | Lease a Bike)
- Green Jersey – Points: Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek)
- Blue and White Polka-dot Jersey – King of the Mountains: Jay Vine (UAE Team Emirates XRG)
- White Jersey – Best Young Rider: Matthew Riccitello (Israel-Premier Tech)
Stage 21: Historic Triumph Amid Unprecedented Scenes
Alalpardo > Madrid, Stage Shortened Due to Protests (September 14, 2025)
La Vuelta a España 2025 concluded with scenes never before witnessed in Grand Tour history, as protests in Madrid forced the cancellation of the final stage’s finish and podium ceremony. Yet Jonas Vingegaard’s historic triumph as Denmark’s first winner of the Spanish Grand Tour could not be diminished by the chaos that engulfed cycling’s most unpredictable three-week race.
The traditional ceremonial final stage from Alalpardo began with the customary celebration of achievement. Vingegaard, resplendent in La Roja, posed for photographs with his Danish compatriots Mads Pedersen (green jersey winner), Mikkel Bjerg, Chris Juul-Jensen, Anders Foldager, and Jonas Gregaard before joining his Visma-Lease a Bike teammates for the champagne toast that marks Grand Tour victory.
The scenes were joyous as the 153 remaining riders made their leisurely way toward the Spanish capital, plastic cups and smiles everywhere as the La Vuelta caravan celebrated the completion of three weeks that had illuminated roads across Italy, France, Andorra, and Spain.
The celebration ended abruptly when protestors invaded the route, forcing race organizers to stop the peloton for safety reasons. Stage 21 ended without a winner, without a proper finish, and without the traditional podium ceremony that should have crowned Vingegaard’s achievement.
Instead, the final podium ceremony took place in a Madrid hotel parking lot, hastily organized by the teams themselves with a makeshift backdrop. The four distinctive jersey wearers posed for photographs in surreal circumstances that somehow seemed fitting for La Vuelta’s unpredictable nature.
“It’s a funny podium, and in some ways, probably the most special,” Vingegaard commented to Danish outlet TV2. “The day has been surreal. I must admit I’m somewhat disappointed not to be able to celebrate in central Madrid. It’s a shame that it’s under these circumstances, but it’s great that we could still make a little effort.”
Despite the unconventional conclusion, nothing could diminish the magnitude of Vingegaard’s achievement. The two-time Tour de France winner had claimed his first La Vuelta, making Denmark the 15th nation to conquer Spain’s Grand Tour. His final margin of 1’16” over Almeida reflected the sustained excellence required across three weeks of racing at the sport’s highest level.
Tom Pidcock’s third place marked a breakthrough performance for the MTB Olympic champion, becoming the first mountain bike Olympic gold medalist to reach a Grand Tour podium. Jai Hindley’s fourth place continued Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe’s exceptional season, while Matthew Riccitello’s white jersey triumph capped a remarkable breakthrough for the young American.
Mads Pedersen’s green jersey victory made him only the second rider in history to win the points classifications of both the Giro and La Vuelta in the same year, after Eddy Merckx in 1973. Jay Vine’s successful defense of the mountains classification marked the first successful polka-dot jersey defense since Omar Fraile in 2015-2016.
UAE Team Emirates-XRG claimed the team classification, capping an extraordinary campaign that saw them win more stages than any team in a single Vuelta edition this century. Joel Nicolau earned the most aggressive rider award, while cycling’s unpredictable nature provided one final twist with the unprecedented finish.
Final General Classification
| Place | Rider | Team | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jonas Vingegaard | Team Visma | Lease a Bike | 74:20:28 |
| 2 | João Almeida | UAE Team Emirates XRG | +1:16 |
| 3 | Tom Pidcock | Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team | +3:11 |
| 4 | Jai Hindley | Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe | +3:41 |
| 5 | Matthew Riccitello | Israel-Premier Tech | +5:55 |
| 6 | Giulio Pellizzari | Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe | +7:23 |
| 7 | Sepp Kuss | Team Visma | Lease a Bike | +7:45 |
| 8 | Felix Gall | Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team | +7:50 |
| 9 | Torstein Træen | Bahrain Victorious | +9:48 |
| 10 | Matteo Jorgenson | Team Visma | Lease a Bike | +12:16 |
Final Jersey Holders:
- Red Jersey (La Roja) – Overall Leader: Jonas Vingegaard (Team Visma | Lease a Bike)
- Green Jersey – Points: Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek)
- Blue and White Polka-dot Jersey – King of the Mountains: Jay Vine (UAE Team Emirates XRG)
- White Jersey – Best Young Rider: Matthew Riccitello (Israel-Premier Tech)
The Final Reckoning
As the dust settled on cycling’s most extraordinary Grand Tour conclusion in decades, the sporting narrative emerged clearly from the chaos. Jonas Vingegaard had delivered when it mattered most, transforming his narrow advantage into decisive victory through tactical intelligence, climbing brilliance, and the mental fortitude that separates champions from contenders.
His triumph represented more than individual achievement – it marked the culmination of Visma-Lease a Bike’s evolution into cycling’s premier Grand Tour operation. Five stage victories across the three weeks, including Vingegaard’s three summit triumphs and Sepp Kuss’s birthday present, demonstrated their tactical sophistication and depth of talent.
Yet perhaps the most enduring image of La Vuelta 2025 will be that improvised podium ceremony in a Madrid hotel parking lot. In a sport where tradition and ceremony matter deeply, the sight of cycling’s newest champion celebrating among friends and family, making the best of unprecedented circumstances, somehow captured the essential spirit of what makes La Vuelta cycling’s most human Grand Tour.
The numbers tell their own story: 3,151 kilometers across four countries, 53,000 meters of climbing, and 21 stages that produced 15 different winners from eight nations. But the real story lies in moments like Bernal’s emotional return to victory, Pellizzari’s breakthrough triumph, and Vingegaard’s crowning glory atop Bola del Mundo – proof that cycling’s greatest race continues to write the most compelling chapters in sport’s ongoing narrative.
In the end, no protest could diminish what Vingegaard achieved across three weeks of exceptional racing. Denmark’s first La Vuelta champion stands among cycling’s elite, his name forever etched in the record books of the sport’s most demanding and unpredictable Grand Tour.
