The 2025 Vuelta a España was a race like no other, but not for the reasons you might expect. Jonas Vingegaard, the overall winner, found himself in the eye of a storm, not because of his cycling prowess, but due to the political protests that marred the event. The Dane's triumph was overshadowed by the anti-Israel demonstrations, leading to a cancellation of the celebration in Madrid, a moment he had been eagerly awaiting.
In an interview, Vingegaard reflected on his post-Tour de France period, where he finished second to Tadej Pogacar. He took a well-deserved week off in Denmark before diving back into training in Annecy. Despite not doing altitude training, he was ready for the challenges ahead, knowing the race would be demanding with numerous uphill finishes.
The race tactics were conservative, focusing on chasing stage wins towards the end. Vingegaard and his team, including Matteo Jorgenson, Sepp Kuss, and Victor Campenaerts, had a luxurious block racing towards their red jersey ambitions. The UAE Team Emirates - XRG achieved success, but most of it came from stage hunting.
However, it was on a surprising stage 9 that Vingegaard made his move. He attacked all-out on the ascent to the Estacion de Valdezcaray, a climb with an average gradient of just over 5%. The Dane seized the element of surprise and João Almeida's lack of explosivity to create a gap that wouldn't be closed. This gap carried him throughout most of the race until the Bola del Mundo, where he cemented his hold of the race and won again in the final summit finish.
From a tactical perspective, Vingegaard's plan was to be conservative, but after the first rest day, they had to adapt. They became aggressive and tried to win the stages. He wanted to win stage 11 for his daughter's birthday, but the stage was neutralized due to protests, making it a large security risk. This forced him to change strategy midway through the stage, defending rather than attacking.
The celebration of his victory was abruptly cut short in the outskirts of Madrid. Thousands broke through the barriers, leading to uncontrollable chaos. The Dane never made it to Madrid, and the news of the cancellation broke while he was still en route. The team had to find a new way to celebrate, and a small gathering in the hotel parking lot became one of the most unusual scenes in professional cycling all year long.
Despite the disappointment, Vingegaard remains proud of his achievement. He describes the celebration as a 'historic moment' and a 'disgrace for cycling' due to the circumstances. The team's small victory celebration in the parking lot was a memorable podium ceremony, a testament to their resilience and determination.
