The finale of the 2023 Vuelta a Espana was a hard fought sprint with Kaden Groves (Alpecin Deceuninck) besting GC contendor Remco Evenepoel at the line mere seconds ahead of the peloton. In a show of unity, race winner Sepp Kuss of the United States crossed the line arm in arm with his Jumbo Visma teammates Primoz Roglic and Jonas Vingegaard. Jumbo-Visma sported a special jersey for the final stage with Rosa, Jaune and Roja bands to highlight their successes in the Giro d’Italia, the Tour de France and La Vuelta.
While Groves becomes the first ever Australian points winner in La Vuelta, the real story is Kuss, a super domestique turned Grand Tour winner over the last three weeks.
The start from the La Zarzuela Hippodrome was easygoing, but the intensity picked up as the riders entered the final circuit, to be covered nine times. Alpecin-Deceuninck controlled the first two laps and Kaden Groves dominated the intermediate sprint to all but seal victory in the points standings.
Nico Denz, Lennard Kämna (Bora-Hansgrohe) and Rui Costa (Intermarché-Circus-Wanty) were the first attackers to open a gap with 44km to go. And then Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step) bridged the gap with Filippo Ganna (Ineos Grenadiers). Kaden Groves (Alpecin-Deceuninck) followed their move.
The peloton kept the tether tight, giving the break a lead of just 20 seconds. Speeds were high, pushing 48 km/h into the final lap. The gap was still 15 seconds with 5.8km remaining. The catch happened with 500m to go, but Groves still had the legs to push past Evenepeol for the win.
Stage 21 Brief Results:
- Kaden Groves (Alpecin Deceuninck) @ 2h 24’13”
- Filipo Ganna (Ineos Grenadiers) s.t.
- Nico Denz (Bora – Hansgrohe) s.t
Final General Classfication:
- Sepp Kuss (Team Jumbo Visma) @ 76h 48’21”
- Jonas Vingegaard (Team Jumbo Visma) @ 17″
- Primoz Roglic (Team Jumbo Visma) @ 1’08”
- Juan Ayoso (UAE Team Emirates) @ 3’18”
- Mikel Landa (Bahrain Victorious) @ 3’37”
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