Jonas Vingegaard crowned La Vuelta 2025 champion in Madrid as final stage abandoned due to protests

The race ends not with a bang, but a whimper. Some will assert that this was avoidable but security not being my expertise, it's not for me to comment. Something to be said that it was only really the final stage that was significantly disrupted. It was nevertheless a memorable race for sporting reasons as much as non sporting ones, and we have been fortunate to see some fantastic racing over the last three weeks.

That's it from me. I'm off to watch the rest of the GP de Montreal and I'll be back next to cover the World Championships in two weeks.

While Daniel Friebe says there will be no podium ceremony.

It's being reported elsewhere that the stage has been abandoned but as there have been no official updates anywhere that I can see for the last hour, we're not in a position to confirm that. Not entirely helpful, chaps.

From The Cycling Podcast's Daniel Friebe.

If, as it appears, we are not to see a final race finish. They'd like to, of course. The demonstrators have filled the course, waving flags, as the Mayor of Madrid is shown in discussion with officials.

Barriers have been brought down. It's hard to see this stage going any further. Indeed it looks like a decision has been made. It's a shame but not entirely surprising.

We're seeing shots of a few concerned faces, and a shake of the head from James Shaw, but most of the riders seem fairly relaxed. There are now questions as to whether this stage can be conducted as planned. The riders union, the CPA, will inevitably be involved.

Past a vociferous crowd of protesters and it seems the race is being held up by a number of them who despite the increased security have made it onto the parcours, blocking the way forward. A small number walked into the road with a banner but it's further up the road that the real issues seem to be. A police officer is seen speaking to Jonas Vingegaard who is at the race organizers car. No reason to believe the protesters have any violent intent, but the safety of the athletes is paramount.

The speed's picked up a bit, now averaging 28kph. I think they're keen to get to the party.

As well he should be.

I know I said the combativity prize doesn't really count in terms of "going home with something" and honestly I stand by that, but on a few stages at least, if they didn't offer this award we'd have nothing to talk about at all. Here's the roll of honour featuring a few familiar names and some sacrificial lambs.

Stage 1 Hugo De La Calle
Stage 2 Liam Slock
Stage 3 Sean Quinn
Stage 4 Sean Quinn
Stage 6 Jay Vine
Stage 7 Juan Ayuso
Stage 8 Sergio Samitier
Stage 9 Michał Kwiatkowski
Stage 10 Javier Romo
Stage 11 Tom Pidcock
Stage 12 Mads Pedersen
Stage 13 Bob Jungels
Stage 14 Marc Soler
Stage 15 Louis Vervaeke
Stage 17 Antonio Tiberi
Stage 19 Jakub Otruba
Stage 20 Mikel Landa

No word yet of the super combativity prize recipient.

Not only could you keep up with that clip in the wheels, I'd wager you could comfortably keep that up at the front.

Since you're (not) asking, I'm going for Marc Soler's bizarre ride to glory a week ago. I admit to having a bit of a soft spot for Soler, but it was less about that than the way he had to hold on his own team on the final climb. It made for a really fun race to watch and comment on.

What was yours?

Place your bets.

A couple of times lately we've seen teams wheeling out the special wheels whenever they have a rider wearing the jersey, mid-race. I think it should be preserved for the final day only.

In case you'd forgotten, Mads Pedersen also won it at the Giro - the first rider to do that here and there since Eddy Merckx - and Jonathan Milan at the Tour de France.

And the racing is... not really underway. That's not what today is about. Today is mostly a photocall, and we've just seen the Danes take a bow, not least the two in the red and green jerseys.

Which considering Jay Vine also managed to win three stages (including the TTT) and accommodate a supporting part in Joao Almeida's GC tilt, shows just how well he and UAE have balanced those competing priorities. Some will argue that Almeida could have done with more support, but I don't think he'd have beaten Jonas even if he'd had Ayuso as his best buddy by his side all month.