"You have got to be a knucklehead" - Former Vuelta winner scolds UAE rider's tactics

Stage 15 of the 2025 Vuelta a España delivered far more drama than expected for what looked like a straightforward transition day. Early climbs tested the sprinters, a massive front group shaped the middle of the race, and a protest incident sparked confusion and crashes before the finale. The contest eventually came down to a reduced group where Lidl-Trek’s Mads Pedersen seized control, outlasting rivals in a chaotic sprint to finally give his team a stage win. Former Vuelta winner Chris Horner analysed the stage, and the race so far, on the second rest day.

The stage profile immediately complicated matters for the fast men. Two climbs in the opening 30 kilometres meant that any sprinter with ambitions had to endure early pressure. By the time television coverage began, a large front group already had more than nine minutes, with Pedersen among the favourites still present. For Horner, the composition of that move, and the way certain riders used their energy, defined the day’s tactics and ultimately, the result.

His main criticism was reserved for UAE Team Emirates – XRG rider Jay Vine, who jumped into an early move with Louis Vervaeke of Soudal – Quick-Step. “Jay Vine, you have got to be a knucklehead,” Horner said. “This could easily be a rest day right here for Jay Vine.”

UAE had already dominated the Vuelta with seven stage victories in the first 14 days, and Horner argued Vine wasted valuable reserves when his team still had strong riders in the bigger group. “Now, this is a knucklehead move, guys,” he added. Many critics have questioned UAE’s riders who have endlessly jumped in the breakaway in the first 2 weeks, despite the fact that Joao Almeida is in a battle for the red jersey with Jonas Vingegaard.

The race then lurched into chaos when a protester emerged from the roadside and tumbled onto the bike lane, triggering confusion in the peloton. Several riders, including Javier Romo, went down hard. “Romo overlaps the wheel of another rider. He goes down hard on the ground,” Horner explained. The incident also disrupted Quick - Step riders, and Horner did not hold back in his assessment: “The spectator, like I said, he planted the protester. Good for you. I hope you knock some teeth out.”

Once order was restored, Lidl-Trek and Movistar combined forces at the front, gradually eating into the leaders’ advantage. Bahrain Victorious also joined in, mindful of protecting their general classification ambitions. Horner was particularly interested in the way Pedersen, riding in the green jersey, managed his effort. “At any moment when he's going and pulling on the front, you got to remember you have to save some legs to win the sprint,” he said. It was a subtle reminder that control in the closing kilometres is often as important as raw strength.

Attacks came thick and fast in the finale, with Egan Bernal, Santiago Buitrago and Vine all trying to escape. None of them succeeded. As Horner pointed out, sprinters like Pedersen knew that every move had to be measured. “You do not want to cover any attack going up the road if you don't have sprinter legs,” he said, highlighting how the Dane forced others to waste energy while he kept his powder dry.

The decisive moment arrived in the last kilometre. Vine attempted one final acceleration, but Pedersen immediately shut it down. And when it came down to the sprint, there was no chance for the other riders to hang on to the green jersey leader Pedersen. After winning 4 stages and the points classification at the Giro in May, Pedersen finally has his Vuelta stage win, and is in control of the points classification too.