Future prospects for the podium finishers of Vuelta a Espana, as examined by Philippa York.

Future prospects for the podium finishers of Vuelta a Espana, as examined by Philippa York.

Jonas Vingegaard has secured a historic victory in the Vuelta a España, adding Spain's national tour to his palmares. The Danish rider, who competes for the Visma-Lease a Bike squad, outperformed his competitors in a thrilling race that saw him win three stages and make an opportunist attack on a non-selective climb on stage 9.

Vingegaard's success was made possible by the strong support from his team, who ensured he had the protection he needed throughout the race. His rivals, including João Almeida and Tom Pidcock, faced their own challenges.

Almeida, who came as close as he ever has to the top step of a Grand Tour podium, struggled with his positioning during the race. His best day was the climb of l'Angliru, but he may need to learn to control emotions that occasionally show in an unhelpful way.

Pidcock, who switched to Q36.5 this season, faced a dilemma about committing to being a GC rider totally or continuing with the diversification of his career. His third place in the Vuelta was ahead of former Giro winner Jai Hindley, but if he chooses to focus on being a GC rider, he has shown he has the talent.

As the race enters its final stages, the top three - Vingegaard, Almeida, and Pidcock - will face a challenging series of hilly and mountainous stages. The next steps for the trio include a hilly stage from Monzon to Zaragoza on Saturday, followed by a mountain stage on Sunday before the rest day on Monday. The race then concludes in Madrid on September 14.

Meanwhile, Vingegaard's fellow Dane, Pidcock, will have to decide whether to focus on his GC ambitions or continue to explore his versatility. His switch to Q36.5 provided him with the freedom to do both, and his performance in the Vuelta shows that he has the potential to excel in both disciplines.

In the end, it was Vingegaard who proved to be the most consistent and opportunistic rider, always in the right place at the right time. His victory in the Vuelta a España is a testament to his talent and determination, and it sets him up for a potential challenge in the Giro d'Italia next year.

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