La Vuelta Ciclista a España 2024 Stage 17

September 4, 2024 There are two categorized climbs on the route but the race doesn't finish on top of either which would be a welcomed relief to many I am sure. The race starts and finishes along the coast but moves out of Asturias and into Cantabria to finish in Santander after just 141KM. Rain poured from the start and only four riders were able to get up the road, Jonas Gregaard of Lotto-Dstny, Thomas Champion of Cofidis, Xabier Isasa of Euskaltel-Euskadi, and Thibault Guernalec of Arkéa-B&B Hotels. Alpecin-Deceuninck, Equipo Kern Pharma, and DSM-Firmenich kept the gap around a manageable 4 minutes in hopes of one last sprint opportunity in this Vuelta. The break still had 4 minutes over the last climb with 50KM to go but the chase got organized as they hit flatter roads. The average speed went way up even with a block wind. The gap was down to 1 minute 20 seconds with 20KM to go due to a furious chase. The peloton was stretched across at least 300M with everyone fighting to hold the wheel as the rain continued to pound down. The catch was made with 2.5KM to go. A counter attack from Mauro Schmid of Jayco AlUla was followed by Enzo Leijnse of DSM-Firmenich and Victor Campenaerts of Lotto-Dstny. They were brought back as the final lead out men did their work with 300M to go. Kaden Groves of Alpecin-Deceuninck was dropped off in the front and proved that he is the best sprinter left in the race. He crossed the line for his third win in the race with Pavel Bittner of DSM-Firmenich behind and Vito Braet of Intermarché-Wanty in third.