Vuelta a España Vuelta 2025, stage 21: Alalpardo - Madrid (108 km)

[Netserk]

Would be good for op to elaborate, I call it unneeded and unwelcome.

Wildcard podium riders since the PT/WT.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1967333822917423362

View: https://x.com/vismaleaseabike/status/1967333822917423362


close up Looks like Almeida did a Ghirmay hitting his own eye with champaigne (or Cava)

I recommend watching this is slomo

Great that they improvised this podium ceremony and it looked better and more spontaneous than standard ones. Disgrace by the Vuelta organizers that they didn't prepare any alternative solution for the ceremony.

 

[noob]

Great that they improvised this podium ceremony and it looked better and more spontaneous than standard ones. Disgrace by the Vuelta organizers that they didn't prepare any alternative solution for the ceremony.

I think the organizers gave them a huge service. This was a ton better in all respects for the cyclists themselves

 

[RedheadDane]

Here are the previous clips strung together in a longer one:

 

[Sciatic]

Looks like they're gonna hold a mini podium ceremony anyway:

I’d love to hear who initiated this and who went to steal the background banner!

 

[Sciatic]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1967318094784983298

View: https://x.com/vingeupdates/status/1967318094784983298

He has such a full smile in some of these photos that I haven’t seen before. Must be such a relief to get this win wrapped up and safely completed!

 

[Tricycle Rider]

He has such a full smile in some of these photos that I haven’t seen before. Must be such a relief to get this win wrapped up and safely completed!

And also Vingo might have felt much more comfortable popping the champagne just with the boys instead of in a more formal and public ceremony - loved the genuine smile myself!

 

[Unchained]

There are many things in cycling to be angry about, worth going into the street to demand change! Shimano is top of my list! What is up with these chain prices? Why don't they make a derailleur cage that can take a 38 that doesn't touch the ground!! Not 48, 50 or 52 rear cog..I just want more than a 34..
And why are there so so many options for Ultegra brake hoods? Stop already..

Had the chief of Madrid police called me, he didn't.. But if he did fairly easy solution.. Release a few thousand puppies and kittens near finish line.. No matter what you are pissed off about.. Those little creatures are magic for angry protesters

I also think all gas stations worldwide should be required to have self serve soft serve ice cream machine ..just makes sense

Only missing ingredient from this well researched conflict reduction diet is: tequila. IMO it works wonders except for the random solar-flare of anger, bent on personal destruction! Pizza wouldn't stop that either but I like the strategy.

I will have to conclusively disagree with you on tequila and his smoky sister mescal .Both liquids need to be used in a supervised and controlled environment. Tequila can change your DNA sequences and make you think you can dance, sing, ride horses, boogie and surfboards. Tequila will make you hug, kiss, wrestle with people. Depending on the brand of tequila it can make you remove your clothes and in not so rare instances tequila can make you think you can jump 4ft chain link fences or doing complicated diving moves from a rooftop into a swimming pool.
Mescal and tequila can trick your brain into thinking that you understand and can speak foreign languages, both liquors can momentarily fool your brain into thinking small and large dogs like you and will not bite you.
Tequila can also make you think your gas BBQ has an automatic shut off function which it doesn't.
No I think widespread distribution and consumption of tequila during street protests is a bad idea.. Unless the street event is a tequila tasting festival or a wedding of someone you barely know, then it's fine drink up.

 

[RedheadDane]

I’d love to hear who initiated this and who went to steal the background banner!

Organisers: Visma, UAE, Q36.5, and Trek.
And I suppose it's possible that they just... asked if they could borrow the banner.

 

[noob]

Organisers: Visma, UAE, Q36.5, and Trek.
And I suppose it's possible that they just... asked if they could borrow the banner.

That's what I assumed too. I can't imagine anyone would deny them a banner.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

I’d love to hear who initiated this and who went to steal the background banner!

Vingo is small, he would be a perfect burglar.

 

[noob]

And also Vingo might have felt much more comfortable popping the champagne just with the boys instead of in a more formal and public ceremony - loved the genuine smile myself!

Yes he looks so happy, or rather euphoric.

Spoiler

Like the kind of overwhelming happiness that's almost too hard to bear. Oftentimes comes after a rush of adrenaline first. Like being in a bike race scared and then getting safe and something really fun happens.

 

[noob]

Vingo is small, he would be a perfect burglar.

Also very innocent looks

Spoiler

unless in a black turtleneck

 

[RedheadDane]

That's what I assumed too. I can't imagine anyone would deny them a banner.

But if it was theft, I suspect Oliveira was somehow involved.
Did you see that disappearance-act of his?

Now you see him...

Now you don't!​

 

[Hugh Januss]

I will have to conclusively disagree with you on tequila and his smoky sister mescal .Both liquids need to be used in a supervised and controlled environment.

Isn't there an expression which says something like "instant azzhole, just add tequila"?

 

[Wyndbrook]

Wildcard podium riders since the PT/WT.

I accept that was your reason and apologise. But still stand by my original point that the record books state that Cobo never placed in the top three of a grand tour.

 

[HashRouge]

I think the improvised podium ceremony was probably the best thing that could happen for Riccitello. I was genuinely worried about him having to do the proper podium.

 

[TourOfSardinia]

This type of ceremony seem to bring such camaraderie
that it might be worth adopting at other GT
in place of the official ones.

 

[Unchained]

Great that they improvised this podium ceremony and it looked better and more spontaneous than standard ones. Disgrace by the Vuelta organizers that they didn't prepare any alternative solution for the ceremony.

I completely agree, a school gymnasium, church or local theater could have accommodation for crowd associated with closing ceremony. And it could have been scheduled for hours after the race finish... In many places they have an outdoor event and have an alternative called rain date or something similar. Whatever that was they did was pretty grade school organization skills.

Isn't there an expression which says something like "instant azzhole, just add tequila"?

I had heard a bunch of different versions.. Tequila being one for sure. I was hoping some light hearted banter was beneficial.. Otherwise everyone, everything is pretty serious.
Sounds like people are a little myopic about were things go and lots of Spain specific comments as if some of the other events in other countries are not as disruptive. And I find Riccitello's exit announcement a bit disrespectful, team supported him with all their heart throughout a difficult race for all, but especially Israel Premier Tech.
I find much of what happened to bicycle racers being manipulated for someone else's cause deplorable. I am always routing for Matthew Riccitello I wish him the best. I don't find it in bad taste to distance himself from IPT for a few reasons, one being some tweets that are exactly what I am talking about.. People from outside of cycling tweeting about what the continuation of the team at the race represented to them, and the other side saying what interruption of the race and the team represents to their side..
In my wildest dreams I never could have seen a bunch of bike racers being a pivot point for such a dire issue.. A tiny kid from Tucson who likely does not need to shave yet.
I really encourage everyone to read a considerate, detailed article written by Alasdair Fotheringham for Cycling News recently about this.. His article has cycling context and also gives some time to the cultural nuances in Spain and how things fit..

I think the improvised podium ceremony was probably the best thing that could happen for Riccitello. I was genuinely worried about him having to do the proper podium.

 

[buddy buddy buddy]

Vingo is small, he would be a perfect burglar.

yeah but looks like a normal sized person next to Riccitello

 

[Hugh Januss]

This type of ceremony seem to bring such camaraderie
that it much be worth adopting at other GT
in place of the official ones.

Possibly influenced by the fact that stage 22 had already begun?

 

[RobertCrawley]

I don't think this one has been posted yet?

https://twitter.com/x/status/1967320829261382040

View: https://x.com/OlsenCycling/status/1967320829261382040

Feral Pidders realizing he probably shouldn't have his hat on and two pups in his arms with the Danish national anthem is being played!

This really is a fun and very appropriate podium to end this crazy GT.

 

[Oldman]

There are many things in cycling to be angry about, worth going into the street to demand change! Shimano is top of my list! What is up with these chain prices? Why don't they make a derailleur cage that can take a 38 that doesn't touch the ground!! Not 48, 50 or 52 rear cog..I just want more than a 34..
And why are there so so many options for Ultegra brake hoods? Stop already..

Had the chief of Madrid police called me, he didn't.. But if he did fairly easy solution.. Release a few thousand puppies and kittens near finish line.. No matter what you are pissed off about.. Those little creatures are magic for angry protesters

I also think all gas stations worldwide should be required to have self serve soft serve ice cream machine ..just makes sense

I will have to conclusively disagree with you on tequila and his smoky sister mescal .Both liquids need to be used in a supervised and controlled environment. Tequila can change your DNA sequences and make you think you can dance, sing, ride horses, boogie and surfboards. Tequila will make you hug, kiss, wrestle with people. Depending on the brand of tequila it can make you remove your clothes and in not so rare instances tequila can make you think you can jump 4ft chain link fences or doing complicated diving moves from a rooftop into a swimming pool.
Mescal and tequila can trick your brain into thinking that you understand and can speak foreign languages, both liquors can momentarily fool your brain into thinking small and large dogs like you and will not bite you.
Tequila can also make you think your gas BBQ has an automatic shut off function which it doesn't.
No I think widespread distribution and consumption of tequila during street protests is a bad idea.. Unless the street event is a tequila tasting festival or a wedding of someone you barely know, then it's fine drink up.

Hugh Januss said:
Isn't there an expression which says something like "instant azzhole, just add tequila"?

I agree with Hugh Januss because his monicker suggests he knows those people intimately. UC: your experience is richer with detail but also suggests more personal experience than I've had.

I drink good tequila like a Grownup: sip the good stuff. Maybe alot but never, never take repetitive shots like a Sorority Pledge might the first time they taste alcohol.
Same goes for certain vegetive aperitifs that also might pair well with a good Anejo.

 

[tobydawq]

I accept that was your reason and apologise. But still stand by my original point that the record books state that Cobo never placed in the top three of a grand tour.

The record books must be forgetful. He had quite an intriguing battle with Froome in 2011. I saw it myself.

 

[hayneplane]

Unfortunately I don't know how to post videos from TV2 (and they might be geo-blocked?) but the "Champagne celebration" which normally consists of just 1-2-3 consisted of those 3 of course, but also the other jersey wearers, Bjerg and Grossschartner (probably representing the UAE team competition win), and Oliveira hiding in the background.

As mentioned earlier; PUPPIES!

Daschunds are the best. It’s the one great thing about Ayuso that he owns a miniature daschund.