Stage 17 was the first of a pair of HC summit finishes in this final week of Vuelta 2021 and it absolutely was *not* a day the break was going to take the stage. Except that, as usual, the Vuelta turned the tables on us. Because someone from a break *did* win the stage and even went into the red jersey. Egan Bernal (Ineos Grenadiers) attacked out of the GC group on the ascent of the penultimate climb, with only Primoz Roglic (Jumbo Visma) for company about 60km from the finish, and rode off in seek of glory. But no matter how much it rained (and it poured), how much Bernal tested Roglic on the long, treacherous descent (and he did and it was), or how much he must have been willing himself to stay in front of the Slovenian powerhouse, when the elastic snapped about 8km from the summit of the Covadonga, it was Bernal on the wrong end.
Dynamic duo
The racing was fast and furious from the get-go, until a large group went off the front. But that was doomed, even though Michael Storer (DSM) was able to crest the first of two times up the Collada Llomena from that group and Mikel Landa (Bahrain-Victorious) put in a little bit of a dig. But then Jumbo-Visma went on the front of the GC group and rode like they meant it. By the second ascension of Collada Llomena, the break was assimilated and it looked like Jumbo would control it until the last climb.
🇪🇸 #LaVuelta21
All back together. Doing the second ascent of La Collada Llomena in rainy conditions. 🌧
62 km to go.
— Team Jumbo-Visma cycling (@JumboVismaRoad) September 1, 2021
But ah, Ineos Grenadiers had a different plan. They got on the front and then …
🗣️ 'Bernal is going on the attack'
Egan Bernal takes the initiative to go on the 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐤 – and just look at the response from Primoz Roglic!
𝐖𝐎𝐖!🤯#LaVuelta21 pic.twitter.com/UO00xSL8qW
— Eurosport UK (@Eurosport_UK) September 1, 2021
The only rider who followed him – from the sounds of it, by instinct – was Roglic.
Didn’t expect this. Thought the long run to the last mountain would neutralise things a bit. This is good. #LaVuelta21
— John Galloway (@VelocastJohn) September 1, 2021
The early answer seems to be no! https://t.co/PKQjPQwutW
— David Hunter (@cyclingmole) September 1, 2021
Rogo's Vuelta strategy has been, "Whatever, come at me bro."
— nyvelocity (@nyvelocity) September 1, 2021
By this time it was pouring with rain. Roglic followed Bernal over the top of the mountain and down the treacherous descent, not making any crazy moves.
Epic breakaway by Egan Bernal and Primoz Roglic on stage 17!
Crazy weather ahead of the final ascent!#LaVuelta #seanknows pic.twitter.com/5xbaGP9Fdr
— Sean Cardovillis (@sean_cardo) September 1, 2021
This is going to be an exciting finish. The climb suits Bernal better than Roglic but we know Rogi is a beast! Hope Bernal climbs to 2nd after this effort! #LaVuelta21
— Fred (@fredfalcone) September 1, 2021
Bernal and Roglic worked together to keep their advantage as they rode the valley floor. Once on Covadonga, they were still together until Roglic just put that bit more power down and Bernal lost the wheel.
Oooh Roglic…has Rog increased his pace or is Bernal losing his…that gap is GROWING fast
— midge (@pariswheels) September 1, 2021
Primoz Roglic to his rivals. #LaVuelta21 pic.twitter.com/0vsT2kPQeu
— Sadhbh O'Shea (@SadhbhOS) September 1, 2021
Bernal in danger of losing the white young riders jersey. Not because he’ll lose time but because he’s aged about 10 years on this final climb.
— Journal Velo (@JournalVelo) September 1, 2021
Roglic then rode the rest of the 8km on his own and roared with fierce joy as he crossed the line. Bernal got caught by the chasing group of Miguel Angel Lopez, Enric Mas (both Movistar), Sepp Kuss (Jumbo-Visma) and Ineos teammate Adam Yates. Kuss took second on the stage, followed by Lopez and Yates.
Not only did TJV get an amazing win but Sep Kuss springs into place for a great second place, you can see the smile on his face as he speeds away (and passes Roglic on his way down). What an amazing race. #LaVuelta21 #couchpeloton #cycling pic.twitter.com/xTiYo5uKIO
— AnnaMac (@AnnamacB) September 1, 2021
Sepp Kuss pic.twitter.com/fBv2pfaVwJ
— Freddie Shires (@fshires) September 1, 2021
Here are the highlights …
61 kilometres on the attack. Fair play @Eganbernal 👏👏👏 #LaVuelta21 pic.twitter.com/9GR2qdrCVo
— INEOS Grenadiers (@INEOSGrenadiers) September 1, 2021
For some reason, I can’t find a video of Bernal’s post-stage interview, which was really rather beautiful. Keep an eye out for it in your timeline. Hopefully you’ll get to see it.
This is the cycling we all like! https://t.co/r8UlyhZ95a
— Peter Cossins (@petercossins) September 1, 2021
A funny, honest, pure Primoz interview. “I just tried to ride up the climb as fast as possible. At that point, Egan didn’t follow anymore so I went on alone.”
Q: Is this your best ever showing in La Vuelta?
A: "I think so…."
Stage 17 from Unquera to Lagos de Covadonga turned our to be a classic! 🤩
Here is what stage winner and new race leader Primoz Roglic had to say after his performance.#couchpeloton #sbsvuelta #LaVuelta21 pic.twitter.com/oAke4xzwee— CyclingCentral (@CyclingCentral) September 1, 2021
His interview was just so him… he's a racer and it shows whenever he talks
— midge (@pariswheels) September 1, 2021
Primoz Roglic is now 2.22 ahead of Enric Mas, who sits in second place. Of course, we still have another HC stage tomorrow with a monster wall at the end and anything could happen. But Roglic has given himself a buffer.
All hail Bernal
The stage might belong to Roglic, but the day belonged to Bernal. He did what we’ve all been desperate for a GC rider to do – he took the race by the scruff of the neck and tried to bend it to his will. That he didn’t succeed in the end doesn’t matter. He made the race exciting and unexpected. Thank you, Egan.
To win you have to be prepared to lose. Good effort
— matt lane (@justasapper) September 1, 2021
The only rider who could possibly have won the combativity prize today.
#LaVuelta21, Stage 17. Combativity prize for Egan Bernal.
— ammattipyöräily (@ammattipyoraily) September 1, 2021
Better lose trying like #bernal than staying passive like #masenric and #supermanlopez @lavuelta @INEOSGrenadiers
— RossoMirto (@Rossomirto) September 1, 2021
As the designated INEOS velovoice, I would like it noted on the record that we are proud of the effort. Even if it doesn't come off, he's taking the race to Rog and all we can ask is that they try. And he is trying! 🥰
— Issie 💙 (@IssieAtch) September 1, 2021
Egan Bernal can hold his head extremely high today.
What a superb effort to try to put Roglič under pressure and shake up this Vuelta.
As I've said before, there is zero shame in losing out to a supreme rider such Primož Roglič.
One proud @Eganbernal fan! 🥺❤#LaVuelta21
— Issie 💙 (@IssieAtch) September 1, 2021
Bernal Will be remind for his attack!!! No Matter how he'll finish La Vuelta, this is what we want, emotion and Epic, cycling!!!
— Guille Van Bart (@GuilleVanBart) September 1, 2021
Egan Bernal is in 6th position, moving up one, and 4.29 off the top spot, which is actually only a few seconds more than this morning. But being over 4min down from Eiking is one thing, being 4min down from Roglic is quite another.
Proud of the fight for red
I really love it when a rider who never expected it finds themselves in the leader’s jersey. And the way they grow in confidence with each day – this has happened with Odd Christian Eiking. Today wasn’t kind to him – he got shelled out the back, yo-yo’ed back on, then had a nasty crash on the descent, ending the day in 11th place, 7.59 off the top spot. But he wore the red with honour – and it will be an experience he’ll carry with him in every race from now on.
Odd Eiking said at the weekend that his ability to hold onto red depended on how the race was ridden. The blistering start and pace increase from Ineos took its toll after going pretty deep in past stages #LaVuelta21
— Sadhbh O'Shea (@SadhbhOS) September 1, 2021
Odd Eiking in trouble already. Bad news for the red jersey. Looks like the big underdog surprise isn't going to happen. #LaVuelta21
— Sadhbh O'Shea (@SadhbhOS) September 1, 2021
Nothing looks lonelier than a leaders jersey on their own off the back.
— John Galloway (@VelocastJohn) September 1, 2021
we'll always have these halcyon days
— midge (@pariswheels) September 1, 2021
— midge (@pariswheels) September 1, 2021
Oh Guillaume
It wasn’t Guillaume Martin‘s day either. Euan’s dream of a Cofidis rider on the final podium won’t be coming true this Vuelta. But it was a hell of an effort today, considering his crash the other day.
Bataille contre moi-même et contre la douleur aujourd'hui. 15è de l'étape, et désormais 5è au général: un résultat que je n'espérais pas ce matin au réveil, suite à ma chute.
Battle against myself today, one day after my crash. @TeamCOFIDIS
📸 @PaulineBallet pic.twitter.com/lzQPlMOp7y— Guillaume Martin (@GuilmMartin) September 1, 2021
Que Guillaume Martin finisse à moins de 5 minutes de Roglic, après les nouvelles qu'il avait donné sur son état de santé, c'est quand même une sacrée perf'. Bien épaulé par Rémy Rochas, révélation de cette course côté français.
— Rémi Martinelli (@_pitxitxi_) September 1, 2021
Translation: That Guillaume Martin finishes less than 5 minutes from Roglic, after the news he had given on his state of health, it’s still a hell of a performance. Well supported by Rémy Rochas, revelation of this race on the French side.
The Last Word
Bernal 👏👏
Roglic 👏👏
Eiking 👏👏
Martin 👏👏#LaVuelta— Oier Bravo Diaz de Sarralde (@Oier_Bravo) September 1, 2021
All the results
Stage results
1 Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma) 4:34:45
2 Sepp Kuss (Jumbo-Visma) +1:35
3 Miguel Angel Lopez (Movistar) same time
4 Adam Yates (Ineos Grenadiers) s/t
5 Jack Haig (Bahrain Victorious) s/t
GC Top 10
1 Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma) 68:42:56
2 Enric Mas (Movistar Team) +2:22
3 Miguel Angel Lopez (Movistar Team) +3:11
4 Jack Haig (Bahrain-Victorious) +3:46
5 Guillaume Martin (Cofidis) +4:16
6 Egan Bernal (INEOS Grenadiers) +4:29
7 Adam Yates (INEOS Grenadiers) +4:45
8 Sepp Kuss (Jumbo-Visma) +5:04
9 Felix Grossschartner (BORA-hansgrohe) +6:54
10 Gino Mader (Bahrain Victorious) +6:58
All the jerseys
🇪🇸 #LaVuelta21
Jerseys after Stage 17❤️🏆 Primož Roglič 🇸🇮
💚💨 Fabio Jakobsen 🇳🇱
💙⛰️ Romain Bardet 🇫🇷
🤍👶 Egan Bernal 🇨🇴 pic.twitter.com/l2hiE7wy6H— pro cycling trumps (@procycletrumps) September 1, 2021
Leader’s jersey : Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma)
Points jersey : Fabio Jakobsen (Deceuninck-Quick Step)
King of the Mountains: Romain Bardet (Team DSM)
Best young rider : Egan Bernal (INEOS Grenadiers)
Team : Bahrain Victorious
For full race results, go to CyclingNews