Vuelta Week 3

Stage 16 was changed due to protests and the finish line was moved to 8km from the original end during the race. Despite this it was still a proper race and was won by Egan Bernal who took the first stage for INEOS at the Vuelta and showed that he is still capable of winning at the top of eh sport after his return from injury. The breakaway took the first 14 places on the stage and the GC contenders rolled in after with Joan Vingegaard leading the pack ahead of Almeida and Pidcock

Giulio Pelizzari took his first win of the Vuelta on stage 17 and with it time on his GC rivals despite not moving up at all. Jonas Vingegaard gained 2 seconds on Almeida an important step for the time trial as an unknown factor within the race. The gap between first and second in the youth classification was extended to 1:08.

Stage 18 was the second time trial of the race and this time individual. Filippo Ganna took the win as was to be expected in a flat solo race as one of the best time trialists in the world. There was some change on GC in the timings in addition to Matthew Riccitello and Felix Gall swapping places. The gap between Vingegaard and Almeida was brought down to 40 seconds. UAE took 2nd, 3rd and 5th on the stage showing once again how strong they are and how it is a race of individuals this year.

Jasper Philipsen took another stage on stage 19 ahead of Mads Pedersen who kept the lead in the points classification. Vingegaard is second in the classification due to placing highly on mountain stages. Jasper Philipsen is in 3rd, 142 points behind the leader.

Stage 20 signalled the end of the GC race with Vingegaard taking the stage and extending his lead, the top 4 remained unchanged and Jay Vine safely claimed the KOM jersey. Mads Pedersen finished the stage and retained his jersey for another stage with a margin of over 50 points. The youth classification saw change with Matthew Riccitello gaining time on Giulio Pelizzari who had a bad day and finished the stage in 16th.

The last stage did not have a winner due to yet more protests causing the race to finish round 60km from the finish line. Due to the protests there was no proper podium ceremony and instead the celebrations took place on o few boxes creating a makeshift podium for the winners.

Classification Leaders:

General: Jonas Vingegaard

Points: Mads Pedersen

Youth: Matthew Riccitello

Mountains: Jay Vine

Team: UAE Team Emirates - XRG

Dropouts:

(DNS Stage 16) Gianmarco Garfoli - Soudal Quick-Step

(DNS Stage 16) Victor Campenaerts - Team Visma Lease a Bike

(DNF Stage 17) Javier Romo - Movistar Team

(DNF Stage 17) Xabier Mikel Azparren - Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team

Total Starters: 184

Total Finishers:153