Champoussin, unexpected winner of the penultimate stage of La Vuelta 2021

La Vuelta 2021 is set to go to a conclusion with only one time trial to go, and anything but a victory for Primoz Roglic would be a surprise. The Slovenian will take his third victory in the Spanish Grand Tour, but today the protagonist was the young Frenchman Champoussin who took advantage of a moment when the favourites were watching each other to take the win in a beautiful stage. Miguel Angel Lopez lost his podium position and abandoned the race.

A stage with a classic profile designed by Oscar Pereiro

A stage 20 between Sanxenxo and Monforte de Lemos that has not disappointed at all. 202 kilometres that have led to a most unexpected finish and in which there has been a real show in which the very young AG2R Citroën La Mondiale rider has surprised everyone.

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A stage that turned out not to be simply the prelude to the time trial that closes this Vuelta 2021. Today there was everything and the stage exploded with an attack by Jack Haig with the collaboration of Gino Mäder and Bahrain-Victorious that caused Haig to overtake Superman Lopez in the virtual general classification and take his place on the podium. The Colombian eventually abandoned the race with no apparent physical problems. His head said enough and the Vuelta, in which he was achieving great results until the penultimate day, was over for him. 

South African Gibbons took the gamble with more than 50 kilometres to go and managed to open up a gap. His performance was noteworthy but behind him a group of Roglic, Mas, Haig and Yates were pushing for the stage win.

Champoussin steals the favourites' show in a crazy finish

Gibbons was on the attack and with 6.5 kilometres to go Bizkarra tried his luck with all his heart. The Euskaltel rider gave his all but the favourites wanted to take the penultimate stage and every attack from Yates was a blow. The group of favourites ended up catching both Bizkarra, who, thanks to a series of attacks, managed to pass the group on a couple of occasions although he was then neutralised, and Gibbons, who became just another member of the group.

Everything seemed to indicate that the winner of the stage was in this group, Roglic, Mas, Haig, Yates and Gibbons did not stop watching each other but the smartest of the class was the young Clément Champoussin who came from behind to take a spectacular stage. The 23-year-old Frenchman has already written his name in the history of La Vuelta a España 2021.

STAGE 20

1. Champoussin, C. (AG2R) | 5:21:50
2. Roglic, P. (Jumbo Visma) | +6
3. Yates, A. (Trek) | +8

GENERAL RANKING

1. Roglic, P. (Jumbo Visma) | 83:11:27
2. Mas, E. (Movistar) | +2:38
3. Haig, J. (TBV) | +4:48