The Azzurro celebrated its greatest success. © APA/afp / MIGUEL RIOPA

Azzurro celebrates after difficult Vuelta stage

After the further disruption caused by protests at the Vuelta a España, the 17th stage was completed without incident with the young professional cyclist Giulio Pellizzari from Italy taking the stage victory.

September 10, 2025

From: dpa

The 21-year-old from the German Red Bull team celebrated a solo victory on Wednesday at the mountain finish on the Alto de El Morredero, ahead of Briton Tom Pidcock and Pellizzari's Australian teammate Jai Hindley after 143,2 kilometers starting in the town of O Barco de Valdeorras. For the young rider, the victory in northwest Spain is the greatest success of his career to date.

In the overall standings, leader Jonas Vingegaard of Denmark slightly increased his lead over rival Joao Almeida to 50 seconds. With about six kilometers to go, Vingegaard's pursuer, Almeida, fell back, but the Portuguese rider closed the gap again.

Vingegaard: “It is very unfortunate”

This year's Vuelta is being accompanied by numerous protests by pro-Palestinian demonstrators, who are referring to Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip. The demonstrators are also criticizing the Israel-Premier Tech team, which has since stopped using the word "Israel" on its jerseys. On Tuesday, the stage was shortened due to protests.

Jonas Vingegaard has the red jersey under control. © APA/afp / MIGUEL RIOPA

"We're here to race, we want to finish at the finish line. It's very unfortunate that we can't. But people have the right to protest," Vingegaard told Eurosport.
On Thursday, the pros will face the only individual time trial of this year's Vuelta a España. The riders will have to tackle a 27,2-kilometer route around the city of Valladolid. The tour ends in Madrid on Sunday.