THEMOVE — "Where Does La Vuelta Go From Here?"

Podcast: THEMOVE
Date: September 15, 2025
Host: Lance Armstrong
Guests/Co-Hosts: Spencer Martin (B), Johan Bruyneel (A)

Episode Overview

This THEMOVE episode offers a thorough review and analysis of the 2025 Vuelta a España, focusing on the race’s competitive dynamics, team strategies, standout riders, and the significant impact of political protests that overshadowed the event’s final stages. Hosts Spencer Martin and Johan Bruyneel deep-dive into the outcomes, the state of Grand Tour racing, preparations for the World Championships, and the worrying precedent set by the race’s disruption.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Vuelta a España 2025: Recap and Standings

• Jonas Vingegaard wins the overall, finishing 1:16 ahead of Joao Almeida (UAE), with Tom Pidcock securing a surprising third place.
  • “The big pre race favorite won the race... and then the surprising third spot of Tom Pidcock. I think nobody expected him to be in third.” — Johan 07:36
• Classification Highlights:
  • Mads Pedersen wins the points jersey.
  • Jay Vine (UAE) claims the mountains classification for the second year in a row.
  • Matthew Riccatello (American) takes fifth overall and wins the young rider classification.
  • UAE dominates team and KOM standings, with seven stage wins.
• Stage Winners:
  • Diverse range, but only 7 teams secured stage victories, dominated by UAE.

[00:00-07:36]

2. The Race Narrative and Competitive Dynamics

• Fine Margins: The race seldom felt “over,” maintaining suspense into the final days.
• Dominance by UAE: Seven stage wins but controversy over tactical coherence.
• Limited Team Success Spread: Only seven teams took stage wins; 16 left empty-handed.
  • “It’s been a while...UAE won seven, seven stages for one team...17 teams did not win.” — Johan, 07:36

3. Jonas Vingegaard’s Performance and the GC Battle

• Vingegaard’s Consistency: Rarely troubled, always in control, especially in the absence of another explosive rival like Pogacar.
  • “He was never actually under pressure where it was holding on for dear life. That has never been the case.” — Johan, 15:17
• Almeida as Ideal Rival: Defensive but lacking the explosive acceleration to truly threaten Vingegaard.
  • “Almeida is actually the ideal rival for Jonas because he doesn't have that acceleration... His fastest rhythm will almost always be, if not ever, a good rhythm for Jonas.” — Johan, 17:31

4. Team Tactics: UAE vs. Visma

• UAE’s Mixed Review:
  • Seven stage wins, KOM, and team prizes but criticized for scattered tactics and unclear leadership.
  • “We were often confused by their tactics... I do kind of struggle with their logic... but this is probably the best outcome they could have gotten.” — Spencer, 22:03
  • “I just don’t think it didn’t look good when... all these free agents running around and going for stage wins and then not being there the day that they had to be there.” — Johan, 23:04
• Visma’s Pragmatism:
  • Effectively managed the race despite being down two riders, praised for foresight and initiative (including organizing their own improvised podium).

5. Breakthrough and Rising Talents

• Tom Pidcock: Unexpected podium finish. Debate around whether he will shift focus to Grand Tours; considered one of the biggest talents in cycling.
  • “Nobody would have thought that he would be third in this Vuelta. Not even himself, not his team.” — Johan, 36:53
• Matthew Riccatello, Julio Pelizzari, Felix Gall, and Mateo Jorgensen: Emerging as future GC contenders, suggesting a “crowded market” for leaders.

6. Preparation for World Championships

• Perfect Worlds Prep for Pidcock: His depth and resilience over three weeks make him a strong contender, especially on Kigali’s challenging, repetitive climbs.
  • “In this form, man, I think Pitcock could be a rival... I would not write him off for worlds.” — Johan, 45:29
• Notable Absences and Questions: Vingegaard not present for Worlds; speculation on why and discussion of Europe vs. Worlds focus.

7. The Protests & Race Disruption

• Madrid Stage Chaos: Pro-Palestinian protests overwhelmed authorities, causing the final stage and planned podium to be canceled.
  • “We never knew... when a stage was going to be able to be held or not... yesterday it all came to a mess in Madrid, where even 1500 extra police men couldn't control the situation. That was really a shame.” — Johan, 08:17
• Impact on Riders: Lack of closure and ceremony deeply affected participants.
• Political Fallout: Criticism of Spanish government’s response. Concern that this may create a playbook for future disruptions:
  • “Kwiatkowski correctly said… now the model's proven that if you want to draw attention to anything, you can shut down a bike race…” — Spencer, 55:44
  • “Cycling is the most vulnerable sport and that this will be repeated in the future.” — Johan, 54:16

8. The Paradox of Sporting Protest and Political Symbolism

• Disputed Effectiveness: Hosts express frustration that targeting cycling events is an empty gesture unlikely to change the geopolitical realities at stake.
  • “What will this change to the core of the horrible problems that are happening in that part of the world? It will change nothing.” — Johan, 60:35
• Inconsistency in Protest Targets: Noted contradiction between protests focused on Israel Premier Tech (a team with Canadian-Israeli ownership) and other equally connected sports entities not facing disruption.

9. Looking Forward: Will the Future of Cycling Races Be Secure?

• Tour de France Concerns: Next year’s Tour starts in Spain, prompting worries about repeat disruptions.
• Potential for More Crowded GC Landscape: With young talents rising and established stars returning, the battle for GC leadership is intensifying.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Vuelta Suspense and Disappointment

• “Everyone leaves the vuelta, especially the spectators, with an unsatisfied feeling... we had these protests looming over the race during three weeks.” — Johan, 07:36

On Vingegaard’s Dominance

• “His last seven Grand Tour starts... second, first, first, second, second, second, first. He has not finished off the second step of a podium at a Grand Tour overall since 2020.” — Spencer, 13:11

On the Impact of Protest

• “You win a grand Tour, Jonas, you win the green jersey in Peterson, you win the king of the mountains... and you are not able to celebrate it. You don't have the podium. That’s really too bad.” — Johan, 08:17

On Political Complexity

• “If we would x-ray the majority of the teams in pro cycling... there’s every organization has its pros and its cons.” — Johan, 58:21

On the Future

• “I think this is just the beginning... In other countries, are these kind of protests actually even possible? Is the authority force able to act differently?” — Johan, 63:24

Key Timestamps

• 00:00 — Initial remarks, recap of teams and stage wins
• 07:36 — Johan’s summary and reaction to the GC outcome, stage victories
• 13:09 — Vingegaard’s GC dominance, Almeida’s style as rival
• 22:03 — UAE’s team tactics, debate over their effectiveness
• 36:04 — Will Joao Almeida win a Grand Tour?
• 36:53 — Tom Pidcock’s breakthrough
• 45:29 — Pidcock as World Championships contender
• 52:17 — Discussion transitions to the protests and their disruptive impact
• 55:44 — Precedent set; worries for future events
• 62:43 — UCI & Spanish Govt: Official statements
• 63:24 — Hosting of future races in Spain at risk

Flow and Tone

The episode maintains THEMOVE’s trademark style: informal yet deeply knowledgeable, blending banter, critical analysis, and candid opinion. Both Spencer and Johan speak bluntly on cycling’s competitive nuances and are unafraid to express strong views about the intersection of sports, politics, and race organization.

For Listeners:

If you missed the episode, this summary covers every major race takeaway, tactical insight, and the broader concerns facing pro cycling’s future—especially the unsettling new normal of political protest intersecting with the sport’s closest contests.