La Vuelta – Mads Pedersen wins the 19th stage, Remco Evenepoel retains the red jersey

The profiles change, the opponents too, but the winner remains the same. After Montilla and Tomares, Mads Pedersen (Trek-Segafredo) achieved a third success on the Vuelta on the occasion of the 19th stage, dominating in the sprint a reduced peloton in the streets of Talavera de la Reina. The Dane, already guaranteed to win the green jersey, outstripped Fred Wright (Bahrain-Victorious) and Gianni Vermeersch (Alpecin-Fenix), at the end of a day marked by a minimal breakaway (3 runners) resumed at 50km of arrival. A very quiet day for the leaders and for Remco Evenepoel (QuickStep-Alpha Vinyl) who keeps the red jersey.

We weren’t expecting much on this 19th stage but we were still disappointed. We knew that it was unlikely that the favorites would fight on the eve of the final mountain stage, especially since the Puerto de Pielago (2nd cat) did not offer sufficient slopes (9.3km at 5, 6%) to create gaps. None have moved and Evenepoel still has a 2’07” lead over Mas two days from the finish in Madrid. But we were hoping for at least a fight to take the breakaway and a fight between it and the peloton. Both never happened.

At least Scotson will have tried

Brandon McNulty (UAE Team Emirates), Jonathan Caicedo (EF Education-EasyPost) and Ander Okamika (Burgos-BH) came out early and the trio clocked over four minutes into the peloton. But resisting three Trek-Segafredos and Bahrain-Victorious was mission impossible. The work of the formations of Pedersen and Wright quickly allowed the peloton to regain the breakaway, 50km from the finish, during the second ascent of the Pielago.

What to give other runners the desire to attack? Obviously, not since no one will have tried except for Miles Scotson (Groupama-FDJ), author of a vain attempt 700m from the finish. But the Trek-Segafredo kept watch.

Led by Tibéri, after the enormous work of the Frenchman Elissonde, Mads Pedersen let the confidence speak by launching the sprint himself, at 200m, just after the junction with the Australian from Groupama-FDJ. He will never be worried. Despite Fred Wright, yet stuck in his wheel but unable to go up if it is only one wheel. Despite Ben Turner (4th), yet placed by INEOS Grenadiers to try to offer a victory in tribute to Queen Elizabeth II. But there was nothing to do. Third success, a green jersey already assured: the king of sprints on this Vuelta is Danish and is called Mads Pedersen.