Pellizzari Powers to Victory on Alto de El Morredero in Vuelta Stage 17
Giulio Pellizzari won stage 17 of the Vuelta a España, while Jonas Vingegaard extended his lead over João Almeida. Read more.
“I sacrificed the stage that could have been really nice. But, we're racing for the podium, that's the...”
Giulio Pellizzari dominated the Vuelta a España's stage 17, powering away from a small group of riders in the final kilometers to claim victory. He attacked with 3.5 kilometers left to go on the Alto de El Morredero climb, showcasing his impressive climbing ability and tactical awareness. Pellizzari crossed the finish line 16 seconds ahead of Tom Pidcock, who rode an impressive stage to secure second place.
Pellizzari's win not only marked his first Grand Tour stage victory but also extended his lead in the young rider classification. Meanwhile, Jonas Vingegaard increased his overall lead by two seconds, finishing fourth, two seconds ahead of his closest rival, Joao Almeida. Vingegaard now holds a 50-second advantage over Almeida, setting the stage for a thrilling battle in the upcoming individual time trial.
Stage 17 Results:
- Giulio Pellizzari (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe): Stage winner, finishing in 3h 37' 00”
- Tom Pidcock (Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team): 16 seconds behind Pellizzari
- Jai Hindley (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe): Third place, supporting Pellizzari's team effort
The victory marked a significant milestone in Pellizzari's career, and he expressed his gratitude to his team for their support. With the individual time trial approaching, the competition is expected to intensify, potentially shifting the general classification standings.
Jonas Vingegaard crossed the line in fourth place, just two seconds behind his closest rival, João Almeida, solidifying his 50-second lead in the general classification standings. Meanwhile, Tom Pidcock trails Vingegaard by approximately 2 minutes and 28 seconds, holding third place.
Giulio Pellizzari impressively ranks fifth overall in his debut Vuelta, donning the white jersey as the best young rider. He joins the top four general classification contenders: Vingegaard, Almeida, Pidcock, and Jai Hindley. Another notable rider, American Matthew Riccitello of Israel-Premier Tech, finds himself in good company alongside these cycling heavyweights.
Giulio Pellizzari pulled off an impressive win on stage 17 of the Vuelta a España, outmaneuvering the top contenders with his decisive attack. The 21-year-old Italian rider launched a solo effort with 3.5 kilometers left to go on the Alto de El Morredero climb, showcasing his exceptional climbing ability and tactical awareness. Pellizzari crossed the finish line 16 seconds ahead of Tom Pidcock, who rode an impressive stage to secure second place.
Matthew Riccitello attempted to chase Pellizzari down but couldn't quite bridge the gap. “In the end, it's my fault for not getting on Pellizzari right away,” Riccitello admitted, frustrated that he couldn't catch the Italian rider. Pellizzari's victory marked his first Grand Tour stage win and solidified his lead in the young rider classification.
“But I really thought these other guys would want the stage win. Pretty disappointing that they didn't want to help, I don't think they had much to lose but that's bike racing.”
🏆 GIULIOOOOOOOOO #LaVuelta25 pic.twitter.com/TCflbHdf4x
— La Vuelta (@lavuelta) September 10, 2025
The stage began with an early 12-man breakaway, but they were eventually caught before the final climb. As the main contenders approached the ascent, the pace intensified, and the general classification battle heated up. João Almeida initially struggled, getting dropped at one point, but he managed to regain contact with Jonas Vingegaard, setting up a potential showdown between the two for the Vuelta title.
Meanwhile, Tom Pidcock made a strong sprint to the finish line, aiming to snatch bonus seconds from Jai Hindley and solidify his third-place position overall. This strategic move highlights the competitive nature of the race as riders battle for every advantage in the general classification standings.
“I think that's the sacrifice, I guess, when riding for the podium,” Pidcock said.
“I sacrificed the stage that could have been really nice. But, we're racing for the podium, that's the main goal so we have to make decisions.”
The 17th stage of the Vuelta a España concluded without any major incidents or disruptions, despite concerns over potential protests. Before the stage, riders had voted to neutralize the race if pro-Palestinian protests interfered again, following Tuesday's stage 16 being cut short due to demonstrators. However, strong winds at the summit finish posed the main challenge, rather than protests. The stage proceeded as planned, with Giulio Pellizzari claiming his first professional victory by outpacing the peloton on the Alto de El Morredero climb.
Pellizzari's win marked a significant moment for the young Italian rider, and the stage unfolded as a battle between the top contenders, particularly Jonas Vingegaard and João Almeida, who are vying for the overall lead. Tom Pidcock and Jai Hindley also had a showdown for third place, while Pellizzari and Matthew Riccitello competed for the best young rider jersey. The stage's outcome sets the stage for the upcoming time trial, where significant time gaps are expected to emerge.
As the Vuelta a España race passed through Ponferrada with 25 kilometers to go, a significant police presence kept protesters in check, allowing the riders to focus on the grueling climb ahead. The finish line area told a different story, however, with charred hillsides bearing the scars of fierce wildfires that ravaged the region less than a month ago.
The stage's outcome was decided on the Alto de El Morredero climb, where Giulio Pellizzari powered away from the pack to claim victory. Meanwhile, the overall standings remain tense, with Jonas Vingegaard holding a 50-second lead over João Almeida.
Hear from Giulio Pellizzari!
— La Vuelta (@lavuelta) September 10, 2025
🇬🇧: "I think it's the best moment in my career! Short career until now. Today I had a strange feeling, I felt a bit that today was my day. And I need to thank all my team, my teammates, Jai of course. Today we fought to take the podium. We didn't… pic.twitter.com/8NmSWoCski
Looking ahead to Thursday's 27.2-kilometer individual time trial in Valladolid, tensions are running high. Protests targeting the Israel-Premier Tech team have disrupted previous stages, and organizers are bracing for more chaos. With 1,500 police officers deployed to ensure safety, the stage is set for a dramatic showdown between Vingegaard and Almeida, who will battle it out on the flat, technical course. Other contenders, including Matteo Jorgenson and Filippo Ganna, could also make a move and shake up the general classification.
No comments:
Leave comment here