Monday, September 15, 2025 at 8:08 AM
The Vuelta a España ended in sporty minor by canceling the final stage to Madrid. Not only the ride was not finished, but also the planned stage ceremony in the center of the capital was canceled due to massive pro-Palestine protests around and on the course. Jonas Vingegaard, Visma | Lease a bike and all other teams did not let that happen and improvised a stage ceremony late at night.
Various images of a crafted stage ceremony appear on social media, probably in a parking lot of one of the hotels of the teams. There an advertising cloth was stuck against a van and a stage was put together with boxes. All riders who actually moment of fame deserved in Madrid, they still received there for their present teammates and staff members.
Jonas Vingegaard was awarded a red sweater and was allowed to go on the end stage with João Almeida and stage debutant Tom Pidcock. Mads Pedersen was handed over the green jersey, Jay Vine de Bertrui and Matthew Riccitello the white sweater for best young person. The entire UAE Emirates XRG team also entered the stage as the best team in the team classification.
foto: Team Visma | Lease a Bike
The Danish national anthem even sounded for Vingegaard and there was a champagnet moment for the riders, who used that moment en masse to spray each other and their framework under the champagne (or cava).
“Boys Will Be Boys. An intimate celebration for the winners of this Vuelta a España,” writes Visma | Lease a bike on social media. Team boss Richard Plugge is also happy, he says online. “So proud that the cycling world here radiates unity and gives the winners their deserved moment of glory. An evening to keep remembering.”
foto: Team Visma | Lease a Bike
🇪🇸 #LaVuelta25
Boys will be boys. An intimate celebration for the winners of this Vuelta a España! 🍾🙌🏼 pic.twitter.com/s8PG1uUNWS
— Team Visma | Lease a Bike (@vismaleaseabike) September 14, 2025
Everyone’s here 💚❤️🤍💙
🎥 TV2 SPORT pic.twitter.com/DBIMiX8LCI
— #TeamVingegaard (@vingeupdates) September 14, 2025
Have you already ordered Ride Magazine?
Pauline Ferrand-Prévot is standing with a large interview in the Ride Magazine Autumn Guide 2025! The headwoman of Visma | Lease a Bike surprised friend and foe by immediately winning Paris-Roubaix and the Tour de France Femmes in her comeback year. France is therefore at her feet. How does she look back on the impact of her Tour victory? Read the story now in De Nieuwe Ride!
