Our last Vuelta outing of 2021 made all the more sparkly by contributions from the Twitterstream. Another big shoutout to #Couchpeloton for keeping us all in high spirits through the last week …
Highs and lows and Muppets and Superman
Stage 17 – the first of a double header of steep HC finishes – saw Egan Bernal going for broke 60km from the finish, followed only by Primoz Roglic.
🎥🏁 – 60 km | Etapa 17 – Stage 17 | #LaVuelta21
💥 ¡@Eganbernal acelera en Collada Llomena! Roglic es el único que le sigue
🇨🇴 Bernal attacks in the GC group! And @rogla is the only one who can follow him
👉https://t.co/zqaO4Bw62K pic.twitter.com/zcplfjRXwr
— La Vuelta (@lavuelta) September 1, 2021
Stage 17 Unquera to Lagos de Covadonga – Roglic making them eat their words 😉#lavueltamunecas #couchpeloton #sbsvuelta pic.twitter.com/XGN82GqxoL
— MrsFrog (@musettedutour) September 2, 2021
As gracious as ever from Bernal.
I love this quote from @Eganbernal – classy.
"I’m happy to be part of this victory for Roglič because he was brave.“He was leading the race and he went with me, and he was taking turns on the flat. He was the strongest today and I’m happy for him." https://t.co/iHbag8UO94.
— Josh (@JustJoshinYu) September 2, 2021
Roglic, King of Understatement, showed his joy at going with Bernal and taking a great stage. He’s really loosening up in these interviews!
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
Stage 18 was another eye-wateringly steep climb. Throw some mist into it and you get this.
The images of Miguel Ángel López coming through the clouds up Altu d’El Gamoniteiru to win Stage 18 – the Queen Stage – of the Vuelta are surreal.#LaVuelta21 https://t.co/GikcpUg0PI
— Blaynos (@Blaynos14) September 3, 2021
But the cycling gods had a surprise in store for MAL on Stage 20 …
Stage 18 Salas to Altu d'el Gamoniteiru – Look! Up on the climb. It's a bird! It's a plane! It's Superman Lopez! #lavueltamunecas #couchpeloton #sbsvuelta pic.twitter.com/3OPpc5k6V9
— MrsFrog (@musettedutour) September 3, 2021
Stage 19 was Magnificent Magnus powerging to his third stage win of the Vuelta. He just wasn’t going to lose this …
Next time your friend says cycling isn’t a team sport… show them this 😂 🤜 🥇 pic.twitter.com/TR4pWyxvKX
— EF Pro Cycling (@EFprocycling) September 3, 2021
Stage 19 Tapia to Monforte de Lemos – EF man love #lavueltamunecas #couchpeloton #sbsvuelta pic.twitter.com/7rVe1K5b7B
— MrsFrog (@musettedutour) September 5, 2021
Stage 20 showed us that if you faff around, you could get caught out by a guy who has the expression of Animal from the Muppets. Chapeau,
It was an amazing, bold and gutsy move and his expression said it all as he passed the guys faffing around with each other. Just brilliant. Did anybody (true fans) not want him to succeed? 🤔👍😁
— Ted with TM (that's Transverse Myelitis) (@feckingpsycho) September 5, 2021
🎥Etapa 20 – Stage 20 | #LaVuelta21
🇪🇸 Vive el último kilómetro de la victoria de @clemchampou en el Alto Castro de Herville gracias a @CarrefourES
🇬🇧 Live the last km. of Clément Champoussin's impressive victory thanks to @CarrefourES#CarrefourConLaVuelta pic.twitter.com/YGA8OQiClm— La Vuelta (@lavuelta) September 4, 2021
A lot has been said about Miguel Angel Lopez’s unexpected abandon in the middle of stage 20
Mostly with himself for making an ass of himself, as soon as he reflects on the situation. #LaVuelta21
— CyclingFever.com (@cyclingfever) September 4, 2021
Even the hashtag has troubles
— F Λ B R I Z I O (@fabrizioviani) September 4, 2021
Where’s MAL? #LaVuelta21 pic.twitter.com/Wj7XPVviUh
— Belinda (@reallyspoketome) September 4, 2021
Lopez latest:
– Oprah has secured his first broadcast interview
– Netflix have signed him for spin off documentary
– ArkeaSamsec want to sign him but need to check Nairo’s small print
– Quinn Simmonds says “that’s fuh takin’ the heat off bro”— Journal Velo (@JournalVelo) September 4, 2021
That was one of the most dramatic races I have ever seen, and also not seen, kind of. #LaVuelta21
— Daniel Lloyd (@daniellloyd1) September 4, 2021
Stage 21 and Primoz Roglic had the Vuelta sewn up before he left the starting ramp for the ITT … but then we thought that in 2020 Tour de France. But he was perfect, even catching his two-minute man, Enric Mas.
#LaVuelta21 pic.twitter.com/7af7IYEqIW
— Will Newton (@InsidePeloton96) September 5, 2021
🎥Etapa 21 – Stage 21 | #LaVuelta21
🇪🇸 Vive el último kilómetro de la victoria de @rogla en Santiago de Compostela gracias a @CarrefourES
🇬🇧 Live the last km. of Primoz Roglic's victory thanks to @CarrefourES#CarrefourConLaVuelta pic.twitter.com/ba6ATkBcmn— La Vuelta (@lavuelta) September 5, 2021
Meanwhile, over the hot seat during the stage …
"Chow mein, salt and pepper chicken, beef chop suey and a bag of prawn crackers please. No rush by the way, I'll be in this hot seat for a while."#LaVuelta21 pic.twitter.com/atrE0fdQnS
— Will Newton (@InsidePeloton96) September 5, 2021
Magnus Cort came within a handful of seconds of winning the final stage …
Hahhaaa he looks like a cop from the 70s omgodd
— Amy E White (@AmyEWhite3) September 5, 2021
Gino!!!!!
Full marks to Gino Mader who has successfully pulled off winning the young riders jersey but only having to wear the monstrosity for one very short stage.
— Journal Velo (@JournalVelo) September 5, 2021
.@maedergino what a ripper La Vuelta; congrats on winning a very nice white jersey AND nailing a top 5 AND raising a truckload of cash for good causes. Chapeau Sir. Hope you can celebrate and rest hard now.
— Belinda (@reallyspoketome) September 6, 2021
As said in my previous tweet I’ll add 10 Euros for every rider in GC too! (1370)
Donation of 4529 Euros will be done today!
Thanks to all of you who supported me throughout this Vuelta!
Recover and up we go to the next! 😴— Gino Mäder (@maedergino) September 7, 2021
👦Mejor joven / Best young rider
⚪️🇨🇭 @maedergino #LaVuelta21
@fenieenergia pic.twitter.com/QP76TqF9iG
— La Vuelta (@lavuelta) September 5, 2021
Primoz, the peloton’s pilgrim
The organizers of the final podium ceremony at La Vuelta are doing it right. Champion Roglic now is wearing a shepherd's had with a clamshell, another symbol of Saint James.
— Don Sloan (@doctordonuwl) September 5, 2021
Roglič 👏. Many defeats in the past but three times Vuelta champion in a row, should never be underestimated! Another grand tour for Slovenia too! #LaVuelta21 🚴♂️🇪🇸 pic.twitter.com/oADLmcnG2l
— Will Luker (@WLuker97) September 5, 2021
All the jerseys
Stage 21 Padrón to Santiago de Compostela (ITT) – Podium boys #lavueltamunecas #couchpeloton #sbsvuelta pic.twitter.com/zns9lw7xdW
— MrsFrog (@musettedutour) September 5, 2021
Observations
Primoz enters the halls of greatness.
That fact cannot be disputed.
Congratulations @rogla what an astonishing 3 weeks.
So happy for you #LaVuelta https://t.co/feZixieGmn
— anenglishmaninspain (@AndyElche) September 5, 2021
In May, Bahrain Victorious went to Giro d'Italia with Mikel Landa as GC leader. Landa DNF but Damiano Caruso finished 2nd overall.
In August, Bahrain Victorious went to Vuelta a España with Landa as GC leader. Landa DNF but Jack Haig finishes 3rd overall. #LaVuelta21— Neal Rogers (@nealrogers) September 5, 2021
Movistar has cracked the code. Stop trying to get people to follow along *in spite of* the chaos. Get them to follow *for* the chaos.
— Service Course, LLC (@SC_Cycling) September 5, 2021
Transfers and farewells
We wish all the riders who are retiring this year a wonderful farewell party and all the best for the future.
Faaaaabiiiiioooooooo 💙💙💙 @FabioAru1 https://t.co/2qJRy1Uwpo
— Daniele Bennati (@Benna80) September 5, 2021
Tosh van der Sande is going to Jumbo-Visma and team managers Marc Sergeant and Herman Frison leave Lotto-Soudal at the end of the season. Thomas De Gendt has said that he is thinking about retiring at the end of 2022.
Final race with @marc_sergeant @FrisonHerman and @Toshvds done. The last 7 years were great. pic.twitter.com/R0ESXDDZoE
— Thomas De Gendt (@DeGendtThomas) September 5, 2021
Thankyou for all the support over the years. pic.twitter.com/c1Kf30ZlVK
— Dan Martin (@DanMartin86) September 4, 2021
I agree. He’s been fun to watch.
— Laticia Waclawik (@sdbeachgirl9) September 4, 2021
The Grupetto
The way team is everything in cycling:
• Storer and Bardet burying themselves for Dainese today
• The sheer & utter joy from Craddock for Cort's victory
• The wolfpack surrounding Jakobsen yesterday supporting him to make the time cutThis sport, I love it 🥺❤ #LaVuelta21 pic.twitter.com/EvFs9jyV9U
— Issie 💙 (@IssieAtch) September 3, 2021
Bloody hell! An upright G. Has a big corner been turned? https://t.co/PVLbjBDUva
— Journal Velo (@JournalVelo) September 5, 2021
The last word
But the mingled, mingling threads of life are woven by warp and woof
— Moby Dick (@MobyDickatSea) September 8, 2021