“Riders are losing public credibility” - Leading online analysts condemn Vuelta’s final-stage neutralisation
Cycling
The 2026 Vuelta a Espana will end beneath a cloud of controversy after the riders and CPA successfully pushed for the final 9.8 kilometres of Stage 21 to be neutralised for the general classification.
The stage victory and points classification will remain live until the finish, but GC times will be taken at the fourth of five passages across the line. No bonus seconds will count towards the overall standings.
Race organisers and the UCI had initially opposed neutralisation before reaching a compromise with the riders and CPA.
The decision quickly drew criticism from notable online analysts Benji Naesen and La Flamme Rouge, whose X accounts have a combined following of more than 180,000. Both challenged the use of safety concerns to protect the general classification while the peloton will still race across the same roads in pursuit of the stage win.
“Unnecessary” intervention risks weakening future demands
“By having the CPA force this unnecessary GC neutralisation on a stage with no prominent safety concerns nor weather conditions affecting the safety, riders are losing public credibility and support when they ask for a neutralisation in actual unsafe conditions,” Naesen wrote.
By having the CPA force this unnecessary GC neutralisation on a stage with no prominent safety concerns nor weather conditions affecting the safety, riders are losing public credibility and support when they ask for a neutralisation in actual unsafe conditions. #LaVuelta26
— Benji Naesen (@BenjiNaesen) September 13, 2026
Teams reportedly objected to narrow roads and technical corners on the Granada circuit, which also features a partially cobbled 2.1-kilometre climb averaging 6.6%. The request was made before racing began and without extreme weather or an incident forcing the organisers to reconsider the route.
The peloton will have raced three complete laps of the same circuit before reaching the GC checkpoint. Once the clock stops, the stage contenders must tackle every corner, descent and section of cobbles again at racing speed. “It's mostly sad because there's so many places where riders should unite and stand up for their rights and safety that are a billion times more important than a symbolic GC neutralisation of a single lap on Stage 21 of this Vuelta,” Naesen continued.
Professional cycling did not arrive in Granada short of unresolved safety disputes. Extreme heat had already disrupted this Vuelta, with Stage 15 shortened substantially when temperatures rose beyond 40 degrees. Naesen questioned whether the Extreme Weather Protocol had been followed according to its own guidelines when temperatures first exceeded 35.
He also drew attention to the protection riders carry on their heads and the health monitoring available away from competition. “Riders are wearing helmets that only have to adhere to the most basic safety specifications,” he wrote. “Unlike other sports, there's no comprehensive health screening and prevention policy related to RED-S.”
The rollout of GPS tracking technology has meanwhile been slowed by a prolonged dispute between the UCI and teams over ownership of rider data. Devices capable of identifying the precise location of a crash and accelerating the medical response have spent two years caught between competing interests.
Naesen’s list continued with downhill approaches to mass-sprint finishes, despite UCI president David Lappartient previously saying they should not feature, and €300,000 from the SafeR budget being ringfenced for the governing body’s legal battle with SRAM over equipment regulations. “But apparently these issues aren't important enough,” he concluded.
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La Flamme Rouge turned to the contrast between the Granada request and previous calls for more circuit-based racing. “Teams: we needs more races in circuits because circuits are safer,” the account posted. “Also teams: we needs to neutralize GC times in circuits because they are not safe.”
Local circuits require fewer roads to be secured and give riders several opportunities to learn the corners, surfaces and hazards before the finish. In Granada, three competitive passages will serve as reconnaissance before the overall standings are frozen for the fourth and final lap.
Nothing in the agreement requires the peloton to complete that last circuit at a controlled speed. Riders chasing the stage will remain free to attack, descend and sprint for the final victory of the Vuelta, while those protecting positions in the general classification can ease off after the timing point. “This is what damages the image of cycling,” La Flamme Rouge added. “Not riders urinating in public.”
Mas carries a 2:15 advantage over Roglic into Stage 21, with Gall another 29 seconds behind in third. Those margins remain vulnerable until the fourth passage across the finish line, after which only the stage result and remaining classification points will be decided on the roads of Granada.
Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
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- It doesnt take a genius to understand that Pogi is 1 level above and Pogi is younger that Jonas, so Jonas will not win under ordinary circumstances. Pogi has to crack hard for Jonas to win. It doesn't matter whether you defend Jonas or not , facts remain facts. Jonas himself says his numbers are better than 2022/2023, so Jonas is more or less optimized and we are just see the stochastic variation due to other factors. I think he will retire along with Pedersen in WC denmarkabstractengineer13-11-2026
- They only raced each other during the 2026 Tour, but here's a few metrics to look at. Stage 3 (Granollers to Les Angles): Pogačar won the stage, finishing 2 seconds ahead of Vingegaard (2nd). Del Toro finished 24 seconds behind Stage 6 (Pau to Gavarnie-Gedre / Col du Tourmalet): Pogačar won solo, Vingegaard finished 2nd (losing 2:38), and Del Toro finished 3rd (at +2:57, finishing 19 seconds behind Vingegaard). Here, Jonas Vingegaard outclimbed Isaac del Toro by 19 seconds on the mountain stageawp13-11-2026
- your clinging to the past. Jonas was dropped by del toro many times last year and jonas never managed a climbing numers del toro did in dauphine last year -entire year. Trend is also evident theres no discussion your living in the past, its beent he same with jonas for many years now and only developing, meanwhile del toro is rising and developing greatly. This is all obvious stuff and im not even a del toro fan. No point discussing numbers or this i suspect you dont watch much now but rather think its 2022 still cause this aint hard.miguel13-11-2026
- We can go through metrics if you like, Del Toro, who I do admire and support, is not on the same level as Jonas just yet. You will see that in early 2027 if they have any crossover races. I do hope they both race the Giro. You are correct though, Jonas is getting older and will not be able to hand on much longer. I see 2027 as a good year for him. Obviously behind Tadej though.awp13-11-2026
- What wins? Are you LA operating under a pseudonym?mij13-11-2026
- My point is this - Tadej, Remco, Seixas are all the outliers. Many riders don’t hit their peak until 28. It’s way too early to write him off. And the pogi slo guy that hates him - he’s also immature. Ayuso needs time.mij13-11-2026
- Then you need to use ur eyes or head if you have cause del toro already dropped jonas two times and beat him in tdf stages already this year.. Del toro climbed(dauphine) better numbers than jonas did all year too. So ur feelings and wishful thinking doesnt amtter del toro himself has already surpassed jonas infact just facts. Its also very evident for anyone objective that Jonas is declining alot, its just the truth and super obvious.miguel13-11-2026
- None of those victories stand, so there's that,wrsty13-11-2026
- No surprise there; it is British Sycling, yes, with an S
Rafionain-Glas12-11-2026 - I like Del Toro but he's not on the level of Jonas, by a large margin.awp12-11-2026
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