‘It’s not a circus’: Riders push to neutralise ‘dangerous’ Vuelta finale as organisers resist

“It is not a circus either.”

For Sander De Pestel, that is where the argument over the final stage of the Vuelta a España ultimately comes down to.

The 27-year-old Belgian rider is among those calling for the general classification to be protected before the race enters its finishing circuit in Granada, with riders concerned that the technical nature of the route could leave the overall contenders exposed to crashes and mechanical problems at the very end of the race.

“I would not want Mas to lose the Vuelta because of a crash and then have no chance of coming back,” De Pestel told Sporza. “And I would not want Roglic to lose another place because of a puncture.”

A majority of teams are reportedly in favour of some form of neutralisation on stage 21, although the proposal does not currently have unanimous support. The Vuelta organisation and the UCI have so far been reluctant to freeze the general classification, with discussions continuing over possible compromises.

One of the options being considered is understood to be neutralising the times only on the final lap of the circuit.

De Pestel believes that would still leave plenty to race for, with the stage win remaining fully in play.

“I am a fan of spectacle too,” he said. “But I think it can be just as good a race if the times are neutralised. They have shown that in the Tour.”

The peloton will tackle the finishing circuit in Granada four times. It includes a partially cobbled climb of around 2.1 kilometres at 6.6 percent, with the final ascent coming 7.8 kilometres from the finish.

The climb itself could naturally reduce the size of the group, but De Pestel is more concerned about what surrounds it.

“There are a lot of hairpins on the descents and the roads are extremely slippery through the centre,” he said.

He fears that once the race reaches Granada, even a relatively minor incident could have major consequences.

“If someone crashes or has a puncture with 40 kilometres to go, it is impossible to come back,” De Pestel said. “It is a difficult and dangerous circuit through the centre of Granada.”

For De Pestel, the frustration is that the Vuelta could still be turned upside down after three weeks of racing.

His Decathlon CMA CGM leader Felix Gall is on course to finish third overall, but De Pestel says the same applies to every rider still fighting for a place in the general classification.

“The general classification riders have been fighting for every second for three weeks,” he said. “Then they could suddenly lose two minutes because of a puncture. That would be a shame.”

Dry and hot conditions are forecast in Granada, but De Pestel believes the circuit itself remains the problem.

“If the organisation chooses a safe circuit, then it can work,” he said. “But they have to think a little about the riders too.”

The ball is now in the organisers’ court. Riders still want the general classification protected without taking the race for the stage win off the table, with a final decision expected at some point on Sunday.