Why 'surreal' La Vuelta 2025 podium was held in car park - and was even 'more special' for winner Jonas Vingegaard
Published 15/09/2025 at 12:20 GMT+1
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The 2025 edition of La Vuelta ended in unusual circumstances as the final stage in Madrid was cut short due to protests. It was announced that there would be no podium ceremony, but that was not the case as a makeshift podium was arranged later in the evening and race winner Jonas Vingegaard celebrated along with other riders, including Britain's Tom Pidcock.
Vingegaard congratulated by Visma teammates as final stage abandoned
Video credit: TNT Sports
At the end of La Vuelta 2025, with the final stage of the race cut short due to protests, it was announced that "there will be no podium ceremony."
Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) was the champion but there would be no crowning the winner in front of a crowd at the Cibeles Fountain as planned.
At least that was the official word.
But the conclusion of the Vuelta - and the achievements of those who rode it - did not go unmarked.
Late in the evening in Madrid, an improvised podium was set up in a car park near the Visma-Lease a Bike hotel.
The three ‘steps’ of the podium were made of cool boxes and the structure was helped to look a little more official with a race-sponsored backdrop hung behind.
On the top step of the podium stood race winner Vingegaard, who held the Vuelta trophy aloft and then took his cap off as the Danish national anthem was played.
Alongside Vingegaard were runner-up Joao Almeida (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) and third-placed Tom Pidcock (Q36.5), who was joined by his two dogs.
Others attended too, including Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek), winner of the green jersey, and Jay Vine (UAE Team Emirates), who won the polka-dot jersey.
There was sparkling wine sprayed and the occasion appeared to be enjoyed by all.
"This is why we love cycling," said Visma-Lease a Bike on social media. "An intimate, well-deserved ceremony for all the winners of this Vuelta a Espana".
Vingegaard, who has now won three Grand Tours, said the makeshift podium was a "cool way to be celebrated".
"It’s a fun podium and in a way probably more special than anything else I’ve experienced. The whole day has been surreal," he told TV2.
"I have to admit that I was somehow disappointed not to be celebrated in the centre of Madrid. But this could also be something. It’s different, of course, but also a cool way to be celebrated."
The only Grand Tour Vingegaard has not won is the Giro d'Italia.
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What happened on final day of La Vuelta?
Vingegaard was declared the 2025 Vuelta champion after the final stage in Madrid was cut short due to protests.
Vuelta organisers decided to neutralise the race with 57km remaining as protestors entered the streets of the capital.
It was deemed impossible for the riders to continue to the 6.2km finishing circuit, located in the centre of the city.
The riders dismounted their bikes and Vingegaard shared a celebratory handshake with his teammates before heading back to the team hotel.
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