Vuelta final stage in doubt again as teams raise concerns over ‘dangerous circuit’

The Vuelta a España is almost at an end after three grueling weeks of racing. This time, however, there will be no finish in Madrid, as is traditionally the case in Spain, with Granada hosting the finale instead. But after twenty stages, a new question has suddenly emerged: will the riders actually make it to the finish? Last year’s final stage was abandoned, and now this year’s finale could also be in doubt.

Many people will still remember last year’s Vuelta all too well. Jonas Vingegaard (Visma | Lease a Bike) won the race, but the protests attracted much of the attention. There had already been a neutralization in the Basque Country, while the finish of Stage 16 also had to be moved because of demonstrations calling for Israel - Premier Tech to be removed from the race.

Things reached boiling point during the final stage. Changes had already been made to the route, but ultimately it was decided that Stage 21 could not go ahead because of the danger posed by the demonstrations. It was a disappointing conclusion for Vingegaard, although he was eventually still able to celebrate his overall victory on an improvised podium.

This year, organizers have opted for a finish outside the Spanish capital. On this occasion, that has nothing to do with the possibility of protests. A Formula 1 race is being held on the streets of Madrid this weekend, leaving no room for the Vuelta a España. The race has therefore moved its finale to Granada in Andalusia, where a circuit around the Alhambra is supposed to provide a spectacular conclusion.

At least, that is the plan. There is now a genuine possibility that the Vuelta could once again have a final stage that does not proceed as intended. Spanish cycling journalist Daniel Miranda of AS reports that the teams consider the circuit in Granada too dangerous. More than half of the teams are said to have voted in favor of neutralizing the final stage.

Whether that will actually happen remains to be seen. Both the Vuelta organization and the UCI are opposed to the teams’ proposal and want Stage 21 to go ahead as planned. They are not in favor of neutralization. A final decision is expected after the result of Stage 20.