Vuelta a Espana 2013 - Stage 21
La Vuelta a Espana came to a close today, and although the race winner was already decided, there was still the ceremonial stage from Leganes to Madrid, a total of 109.6 kilometres. By far the flattest day of this year's race, and the shortest, it was always going to be a bunch sprint. The likes of Michael Matthews and Edvald Boasson Hagen would be hoping the Vuelta did not have one last surprise in store.
The first part of the stage was simply ceremonial, with the pleasantries between riders going on for kilometres. Chris Horner had a bizaare interaction with a playmobil doll and a camerman, and the sprinters teams looked itchy to reach the finishing circuit. Once they were there, Euskaltel-Euskadi, the only team to bring home nine riders, were allowed first passage of the finish line in their final home grand tour, a fitting gesture and farewell before they change sponsor under Fernando Alonso.
A small breakaway did form once they hit the circuit. Alessandro Vanotti (Astana) and Javier Aramendia of Caja Rural, a perennial attacker in this year's race, formed a duo to go ahead of the bunch. They never got very much time, and a number of teams, including Horner's RadioShack team rode tempo to bring them back slowly.
There were no serious crashes on the stage, an FDJ rider did have an amusing incident where he ran into an advertising board at low speed, prompting ITV4 guest commentator Jens Voigt to jest he should hand his racing license back for such an incident. As they neared home, and the curtain began to fall on the 2013 Vuelta a Espana, Sky Procycling took to the front of the bunch in an effort to lead it out for their man Edvald Boasson Hagen.
They were challenged by Orica-GreenEDGE, Lampre-Merida and Argos-Shimano in particular, and it was a close call who would control the race going into the final kilometre. Argos and Orica-GreenEDGE hit the front at the right time, and it looked like a duel between Nikias Arndt and Michael Matthews. Tyler Farrar was also lurking on Matthew's wheel.
Argos opened up the sprint with Arndt, but out of his wheel came Michael Matthews, and it was he who raised his arms in victory. Farrar came in second, with Arndt trailing in third. Chris Horner finished safely in the bunch to win the year's final grand tour, and be crowned champion of the 2013 Vuelta a Espana. Thank you for joining me for this year's Vuelta a Espana, make sure you join us for the Tour of Britain, which starts later on tonight.