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Bernal Claims Stage Victory as Protests Disrupt La Vuelta Finish
Table of Contents
- 1. Bernal Claims Stage Victory as Protests Disrupt La Vuelta Finish
- 2. A Grueling Course and Early Breakaway Attempts
- 3. Late-Stage Drama and a Modified finish
- 4. Bernal’s Triumphant Sprint
- 5. No Changes in Overall Standings
- 6. Key Rider Rankings
- 7. What factors contributed to Egan Bernal’s unexpected victory in Stage 18 of the Vuelta a España?
- 8. Third week of Vuelta Unveils Climactic stage: Bernal Triumphs in a Baffling Finish
- 9. Stage 18: A Mountainous Masterclass
- 10. The Baffling Final Kilometer
- 11. Key Stage Results & GC Implications
- 12. Tactical Breakdown: What whent Wrong for the Favorites?
- 13. Vuelta a España 2025: Remaining Challenges
Poio, Spain – September 9, 2025 – In a day marked by both athletic prowess and political exhibition, Colombian cyclist Egan Bernal of Ineos Grenadiers triumphed in the 16th stage of La Vuelta, a grueling 168-kilometer ride from Poio to Castro de Herville. The stage was characterized by a fierce battle for the breakaway and an unexpected alteration to the finish line due to protests.
A Grueling Course and Early Breakaway Attempts
the Stage featured six challenging climbs totaling 3,370 meters of elevation gain. The initial flat section of the race saw persistent attempts to establish a breakaway, eventually succeeding with a group of 17 riders. This leading group included prominent names such as Marc Soler, Mikel Landa, and Egan bernal, alongside riders from teams including Soudal, Red Bull, and Groupama-FDJ.
Late-Stage Drama and a Modified finish
As the race progressed, a series of attacks and counter-attacks shaped the final kilometers. A leading trio of Mikel Landa, Egan Bernal, and Clément Braz Afonso found themselves at the forefront, only to face disruption as protests related to the ongoing conflict in Palestine led to the suspension of the originally planned finish line. The race organizers were compelled to move the finish line eight kilometers earlier.
Bernal’s Triumphant Sprint
The altered finish line resulted in a chaotic sprint,with Bernal emerging victorious. He powered across the impromptu finish line, securing his first stage win at La vuelta and his first Grand Tour victory as winning the Giro d’Italia in 2021. The victory marks a significant milestone in Bernal’s comeback following a serious injury.
No Changes in Overall Standings
Despite the dramatic finish,the General classification (GC) remained unchanged,with the leading contenders finishing together. Jonas Vingegaard of Visma | Lease a Bike maintains his overall lead. Bernal’s win propelled him up the rankings to ninth place, overtaking Traeen and Lecerfa. Giulio Pellizzari of Red Bull – Bora also moved up to fifth, displacing Felix Bile.
Key Rider Rankings
| Ranking | Rider | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mads Pedersen | Lidl – Trek | 237 |
| 2 |
