"'João triumphantly claimed victory today' - Jonas Vingegaard scrutinizes silver lining following tight loss to main competitor Almeida in the Angliru stage of Vuelta a España"
Vingegaard and Almeida Battle it Out in the Vuelta a España
In the ongoing Vuelta a España, the competition between Jonas Vingegaard and João Almeida has reached new heights. The latest stage, a grueling 200-kilometer ride through the mountains of Asturias, saw a surprising turn of events.
Despite Vingegaard's strong performance throughout the long approach to the final climbs of the day, it was Almeida who emerged victorious in the Angliru stage. Vingegaard, who has distanced all of his rivals in the overall classification except for one, found himself unable to follow Tom Pidcock's attack on the Angliru and the Alto del Pike, raising questions about his tactics.
However, Vingegaard remained on top of the overall classification after the Angliru stage, with Almeida hot on his heels. The Danish rider expressed disappointment at not winning the Angliru stage but acknowledged that he needs to focus more on Almeida moving forward.
The next stage, Stage 14, is a shorter 134-kilometer ride through the mountains of Asturias. While the final summit finish of Farrapona is a less challenging affair compared to Friday's finale, the category 1 Puertu de San Llaurienzu, the second to last climb in Stage 14, is a more formidable ascent.
Vingegaard's early ascent on Farrapona was one of his most impressive as a climber, and he mentioned that drafting will matter more in the upcoming climbs, making it easier to stay on wheels. Almeida, who maintained a strong pace during the Angliru climb and consistently outperformed Sepp Kuss, will be a formidable opponent.
With Primoz Roglič not present in the Vuelta, all attention will be on how Vingegaard and Almeida manage their fight for the Vuelta. The team Visma | Lease a Bike, alongside Jonas Vingegaard, competes in the Vuelta a España 2025 with key support riders including Sepp Kuss and Matteo Jorgenson, who serve as important helpers in the mountains. Jonas Vingegaard is the clear team captain for this edition.
As the race continues, it's clear that both riders are giving it their all. The race for the Vuelta a España is far from over, and the final outcome remains uncertain. Stay tuned for more updates from the race.
