Vuelta

The Moment The Race Was Won: The Vuelta

Stage 18 of the Vuelta and the summit finish to Peña Cabarga. At just 565m above sea level, this was a short and sharp finish and the kind of climb where Vincenzo Nibali might have hoped that Chris Horner’s 41 years might have cost him some of the spring in his pedalstroke. But they approached the finish it was Horner who pulled away from Nibali and this showed who was climbing better. The American narrowed the gap to just three seconds and with two mountain stages to follow, the race was his to win.

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Vuelta Stage 21 Preview

Three weeks later and the Vuelta rolls into Madrid. The final stage of a grand tour often has a feeling of anti-climax with the result being settled but after more than three weeks it’s good to have a stage that incorporates ceremony and celebration as well as a full-on sprint.

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Vuelta Stage 20 Preview

It could all come down to the time bonus at the top of the final climb of the final stage. However Chris Horner is in the ascendant, he’s been putting time into Vincenzo Nibali in recent days and could extend his three second advantage.

But with rain a possibility Horner will find the Angliru so steep he cannot use his trademark out of the saddle climbing style for fear of losing traction.

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Vuelta Stage 19 Preview

Stage 19 and there are just three seconds between Vincenzo Nibali and Chris Horner, a mere time bonus separates the two and there’s an uphill finish today which is enough to change things even if tomorrow brings the mighty Angliru to settle things.

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Vuelta Stage 18 Preview

A mountain stage. The profile might not suggest this with the finish sitting lower than the start. But the final climb has steep slopes and it’s been a decisive point for the race in recent years.

With Vincenzo Nibali losing time the other day and the top-5 overall changing even on yesterday’s flat stage this promises an exciting finish.

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The Problem With Chris Horner

Some are having trouble enjoying Chris Horner’s ride in the Vuelta this year. The 41 year old is riding high in the Vuelta. It’s attracting attention and praise but also questions because of his age and he seems to be performing at a level higher than before.

But what if the anxiety and suspicion expressed by some say more about the sport and how fans are still struggling to believe what they see, a mirror to reflect the viewer rather than the rider?

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Vuelta Stage 17 Preview

Back to the racing and the Vuelta heads across northern Spain with Sunday’s finish in Madrid on its mind. But there are stage wins at stake. With few sprinters left in the race and a tricky finish today’s stage promises some unpredictable racing as it loops around Burgos.

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Warren Barguil

Two stage wins in the Vuelta means a remarkable début for Warren Barguil in the pro peloton. This time last year he was an amateur but with a difference as he’d just won the Tour de l’Avenir overall. And the mountains jersey. And the points jersey. And a stage win.

Before this he’d been national champion and first caught the eye of Argos-Shimano managers when they mistook him for a Colombian. Who knows where he’ll go but here’s a quick look at where he’s come from.

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Vuelta Stage 16 Preview

Another day, another mountain stage? Yes but this is a short stage and the gradients are not to severe so it offers a chance to everyone rather than being reserved for pure climbers and GC contenders only.

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Vuelta Stage 15 Preview

Bonjour! The Vuelta crosses into France for a finish in Peyragudes. But it’s not all so French as the last winner here was Alejandro Valverde when he took his stage win in the 2012 Tour de France.

This is a vital stage of the Vuelta, 225km across the Pyrenees and with a tricky summit finish which might not be difficult by itself but after such a long distance in grim weather means the time losses can be huge.

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