2011 Vuelta a España#Points classification

{{short description|66th edition of the cycling race}}

{{Infobox cycling race report

| name = 2011 Vuelta a España

| series = 2011 UCI World Tour

| race_no = 21

| season_no = 27

| image = Vuelta a España 2011.png

| image_size = 350px

| image_caption =

| date = 20 August – 11 September

| stages = 21

| distance = 3,300

| unit = km

| time = 84h 59' 44"

| speed = 39

| first = Juan José Cobo Chris Froome

| first_nat = GBR

| first_team = {{UCI team code|SKY|2011}}

| first_color = red

| second = Bradley Wiggins

| second_nat = GBR

| second_team = {{UCI team code|SKY|2011}}

| third = Bauke Mollema

| third_nat = NED

| third_team = {{UCI team code|RAB|2011}}

| points = Bauke Mollema

| points_nat = NED

| points_team = {{UCI team code|RAB|2011}}

| points_color = green

| mountains = David Moncoutié

| mountains_nat = FRA

| mountains_team = {{UCI team code|COF|2011}}

| mountains_color = blue polkadot

| combination = Juan José Cobo Chris Froome

| combination_nat = GBR

| combination_team = {{UCI team code|SKY|2011}}

| combination_color = white

| team_nat = ESP

| team = {{UCI team code|GEO|2011}}

| previous = 2010

| next = 2012

}}

The 2011 Vuelta a España was held from 20 August to 11 September. The bicycle race began in Benidorm with a team time trial and ended, as is traditional, in Madrid. The 2011 Vuelta was the 66th edition of the race and was the first Vuelta in 33 years that visited the Basque Country. The 33-year absence from the region was due to fear of political protests.{{cite web|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/vuelta-heads-to-basque-country-after-33-year-absence |title=Vuelta heads to Basque Country after 33-year absence |date=9 September 2011 |publisher=Cyclingnews.com |access-date=9 September 2011}}

Commentators claimed that it was a race well suited for climbers due to the short time trials and the large number of climbing kilometres. Nine of the twenty-one stages were ranked as Mountain stages, and six of them had a mountain-top finish (including the very steep uphill finish on the Alto de L'Angliru). Two other stages had steep uphill finishes, both of which were won by Katusha leader Joaquim Rodríguez.{{cite web|author=Alasdair Fotheringham |url=http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest/512534/climbers-set-to-dominate-in-2011-vuelta.html |title=Climbers set to dominate in 2011 Vuelta |publisher=Cyclingweekly.co.uk |date=2011-01-12 |access-date=2012-08-24}}

This Vuelta saw the introduction of a combativity award, much like that in the Tour de France. The most combative rider in each stage was awarded a red back number which he wore for the next stage.

The victory was originally awarded to Juan José Cobo who had a race-winning margin of just 13 seconds over Briton Chris Froome.{{cite web|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/cobo-celebrates-his-vuelta-win-in-madrid|title=Cobo celebrates his Vuelta win in Madrid |date= 12 September 2011|work=Cycling News|access-date=12 September 2011}} Neither rider had been marked as a pre-race favourite, and both had gone to the Vuelta as domestiques for their team leaders: Cobo for Denis Menchov, and Froome for Bradley Wiggins; their team leaders originally finished 5th and 3rd respectively. The race was the first time that two Britons had stood on the podium of a Grand Tour, and Froome's second-place finish was, at the time, the best result in a Grand Tour by a British rider, until Wiggins won the Tour de France the following year. Cobo also won the Combination Classification. The King of the Mountains competition was won for the fourth consecutive time by Frenchman David Moncoutié.{{cite web|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/moncoutie-seals-fourth-vuelta-mountains-title|title=Moncoutié seals fourth Vuelta mountains title|date= 11 September 2011|work=Cycling News|access-date=12 September 2011}} The points classification was won by Dutch rider Bauke Mollema who finished 4th overall.

On 13 June 2019, the sport's governing body, the Union Cycliste International (UCI), announced that Cobo had been found guilty of an anti-doping violation, according to findings from his biological passport. As a result, the UCI penalised him with a three-year period of ineligibility. Cobo was officially stripped of the title on 18 June 2019.{{cite web |title=Juan José Cobo has been stripped of his 2011 Vuelta a España title after being found guilty of doping |url=https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/racing/vuelta-a-espana/juan-jose-cobo-stripped-2011-vuelta-espana-title-found-guilty-doping-427599 |website=cyclingnews.com |access-date=18 June 2019 |date=18 June 2019}} On 17 July 2019, as the time for Cobo to appeal the decision expired with no application, the UCI announced it recognised Chris Froome as the 2011 champion, making him retroactively the first Briton to win a Grand Tour. Froome was also promoted to the winning position in the combination classification. Wiggins was promoted to runner-up, his second promotion on a Grand Tour podium due to doping, and Mollema was promoted to the podium in third.

{{cite web |title=Chris Froome named winner of 2011 Vuelta a Espana |url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/chris-froome-named-winner-of-2011-vuelta-a-espana/ |website=Cycling News |access-date=13 September 2019|date=18 July 2019}}

Froome, who had in the intervening time finally won the 2017 Vuelta a España, 'on the road', officially received the 2011 winner's trophy at the start of the final stage of the 2020 edition on 8 November 2020.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/chris-froome-awarded-2011-vuelta-a-espana-trophy|title=Chris Froome awarded 2011 Vuelta a España trophy|date=8 November 2020}}

Teams

{{main list|List of teams and cyclists in the 2011 Vuelta a España}}

The 18 teams in the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) Proteam category were obliged to enter the race. Four UCI Professional Continental teams were also invited.{{cite web|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/vuelta-a-espana-wildcards-announced |title=Vuelta a España wildcards announced |date=31 May 2011 |publisher=Cyclingnews.com |access-date=31 May 2011| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110623102502/http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/vuelta-a-espana-wildcards-announced| archive-date= 23 June 2011 | url-status= live}}

The full list of participating teams is:

style="vertical-align:top; width:25%;"|

  • {{UCI team code|ALM|2011}}
  • {{UCI team code|ACG|2011}} †
  • {{UCI team code|AST|2011}}
  • {{UCI team code|BMC|2011}}
  • {{UCI team code|COF|2011}} †
  • {{UCI team code|EUS|2011}}

| style="vertical-align:top; width:25%;"|

  • {{UCI team code|GRM|2011}}
  • {{UCI team code|GEO|2011}} †
  • {{UCI team code|THR|2011}}
  • {{UCI team code|KAT|2011}}
  • {{UCI team code|LAM|2011}}
  • {{UCI team code|LEO|2011}}

| style="vertical-align:top; width:25%;"|

  • {{UCI team code|LIQ|2011}}
  • {{UCI team code|MOV|2011}}
  • {{UCI team code|OLO|2011}}
  • {{UCI team code|QST|2011}}
  • {{UCI team code|RAB|2011}}

| style="vertical-align:top; width:25%;"|

  • {{UCI team code|RSH|2011}}
  • {{UCI team code|SBS|2011}}
  • {{UCI team code|SKS|2011}} †
  • {{UCI team code|SKY|2011}}
  • {{UCI team code|VCD|2011}}

| style="vertical-align:top; width:25%;"|

†: Invited Pro-continental teams.

Pre-race favourites

File:Vincenzo Nibali-Vuelta 2010-crop.jpg of the {{UCI team code|LIQ|2011}} team, was seen as the top-favourite.|alt=Nibali]]

2010 winner Vincenzo Nibali came to defend his Vuelta title and was seen as the favourite due to the better time-trial skills than climbers as Igor Antón, Joaquim Rodríguez and Michele Scarponi. Anton was regarded as the strongest climber in the 2010 race{{by whom|date=June 2019}}, but due to a crash he had to withdraw from the race. Ezequiel Mosquera did not start the race, the 2010 runner-up being suspended from racing by his team {{UCI team code|VCD|2011}} due to an ongoing doping investigation.{{cite web|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/vacansoleil-keeps-mosquera-out-of-vuelta |title=Vacansoleil keeps Mosquera out of Vuelta |publisher=Cyclingnews.com |date=2011-08-15 |access-date=2012-08-24}}

Two other Grand Tour winners in the Vuelta peloton were Carlos Sastre (winner of the 2008 Tour de France) and Denis Menchov (two-time winner of the Vuelta and winner of the 2009 Giro d'Italia). Both riders of the {{UCI team code|FOT|2011}} team were looking for better results after disappointing Giro campaigns. Sastre finished in thirtieth place, while Menchov finished eighth. Menchov had allergies and physical problems at the Giro d'Italia and was looking for a third Vuelta win. The Russian could count on one of the best team supports in the mountains with climbers as Sastre, Juan José Cobo and Fabio Duarte.{{cite web|author=Peter Cossins |url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/menchov-aiming-for-third-vuelta-victory |title=Menchov aiming for third Vuelta victory |publisher=Cyclingnews.com |date=2011-08-02 |access-date=2012-08-24}}

Other favourites for the podium had had a disappointing Tour de France and were looking to improve in the Vuelta. Janez Brajkovič, Bradley Wiggins and Jurgen van den Broeck crashed out of the Tour in the first week while Andreas Klöden withdrew from the race a week later, also due to injuries of a crash. Wiggins showed good form before the Tour and was seen as a podium candidate for the Tour. His accomplished time-trialling, together with his improved climbing skills, made him a favourite for the Vuelta victory.{{cite web|author=Daniel Benson |url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/vuelta-top-ten-contenders |title=Vuelta top ten contenders |date=17 August 2011 |publisher=Cyclingnews.com |access-date=2012-08-24}}

Among the top ten contenders were several promising talents, including Dan Martin (winner of the 2010 Tour de Pologne, runner up of the 2011 Tour de Pologne and third overall at the 2011 Volta a Catalunya), Steven Kruijswijk (ninth in the 2011 Giro, third overall and a mountain stage win at the 2011 Tour de Suisse), Bauke Mollema (twelfth at the 2010 Giro d'Italia and fifth overall at the 2011 Tour de Suisse) and Rein Taaramäe (twelfth at the 2011 Tour de France, third overall at the 2011 Critérium International and fourth overall at the 2011 Paris–Nice. Other contenders for the top ten were Garmin's co-leader Christophe Le Mével and Ag2R's Nicolas Roche.

{{cite web|author=Daniel Benson |url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/martin-keeps-vuelta-a-espana-ambitions-in-check |title=Martin keeps Vuelta a España ambitions in check |date=17 August 2011 |publisher=Cyclingnews.com |access-date=2012-08-24}}{{cite web|author=Pierre Carrey |url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/video-le-mevel-targets-vuelta-a-espana-top-ten |title=Le Mével targets Vuelta a España top ten |publisher=Cyclingnews.com |date=2011-08-20 |access-date=2012-08-24}}

Route and stages

The full route for the 2011 Vuelta was unveiled in Benidorm on January 12, 2011. The climbers immediately liked the route of the race with six mountain stages with uphill finishes and another two flat stages with steep uphill finishes.{{cite web|author=Stephen Farrand |url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/climbers-like-mountainous-vuelta-a-espana-2011-route |title=Climbers like mountainous Vuelta a Espana 2011 route |publisher=Cyclingnews.com |date=2011-01-12 |access-date=2012-08-24}} Among the uphill finishes were the infamous Alto de L'Angliru and the climb to the Sierra Nevada. Two finishes were on climbs that have never been featured in the Vuelta before. These are to Estacion de Montaña Manzaneda in Galicia on stage 11 and La Farrapona in the Asturias region on stage 14. Olympic Road Champion Samuel Sánchez pointed out that the lack of Time Trial kilometres make the race very interesting because there are not enough of them for GC riders with good time trialing ability to take advantage for the variety of mountain stages.

It was the first Vuelta since 33 years that visited the Basque Country. The 33-year absence of the region was due to fear of political protests. Separatists of the Basque Country were unhappy with the return of the Vuelta and calling the coming of the Vuelta 'A Waste of Money'.{{cite web|author=Pierre Carrey |url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/separatists-unhappy-about-the-vuelta-a-espana-visiting-basque-country |title=Separatists unhappy about the Vuelta a Espana visiting Basque Country |publisher=Cyclingnews.com |date=2011-08-19 |access-date=2012-08-24}} Although the criticism of several Separatists on the route of this year, the organizers of the Vuelta announced on 8 September that the 2012 event will start in the Navarrese city of Pamplona.

class="wikitable"
style="background:#efefef;"

!Stage

!Date

!Course

!Distance

!colspan="2"|Type

!Winner

style="text-align:center;"|1

| style="text-align:center;"|20 August

|Benidorm

| style="text-align:center;"| {{convert|13.5|km|abbr=on}}

| style="text-align:center;"|File:Time Trial.svg

|Team time trial

|{{UCI team code|LEO|2011}}

style="text-align:center;"|2

| style="text-align:center;"|21 August

| La Nucía – Playas de Orihuela

| style="text-align:center;"| {{convert|175.5|km|0|abbr=on}}

| style="text-align:center;"|22px

|Flat stage

|{{flagathlete|Christopher Sutton|AUS}}

style="text-align:center;"|3

| style="text-align:center;"|22 August

|PetrerTotana

| style="text-align:center;"| {{convert|163|km|0|abbr=on}}

| style="text-align:center;"| 22px

|Flat stage

|{{flagathlete|Pablo Lastras|ESP}}

style="text-align:center;"|4

| style="text-align:center;"|23 August

|BazaSierra Nevada

| style="text-align:center;"| {{convert|170.2|km|abbr=on}}

| style="text-align:center;"|File:Mountainstage.svg

|Mountain stage

|{{flagathlete|Daniel Moreno|ESP}}

style="text-align:center;"|5

| style="text-align:center;"|24 August

|Sierra NevadaValdepeñas de Jaén

| style="text-align:center;"| {{convert|187|km|abbr=on}}

| style="text-align:center;"| File:Mediummountainstage.svg

|Medium mountain stage

|{{flagathlete|Joaquim Rodríguez|ESP}}

style="text-align:center;"|6

| style="text-align:center;"|25 August

|ÚbedaCórdoba

| style="text-align:center;"| {{convert|196.8|km|0|abbr=on}}

| style="text-align:center;"| File:Mediummountainstage.svg

|Medium mountain stage

|{{flagathlete|Peter Sagan|SVK}}

style="text-align:center;"|7

| style="text-align:center;"|26 August

|AlmadénTalavera de la Reina

| style="text-align:center;"| {{convert|187.6|km|abbr=on}}

| style="text-align:center;"|22px

|Flat stage

|{{flagathlete|Marcel Kittel|GER}}

style="text-align:center;"|8

| style="text-align:center;"|27 August

|Talavera de la ReinaSan Lorenzo de El Escorial

| style="text-align:center;"| {{convert|177.3|km|1|abbr=on}}

| style="text-align:center;"| File:Mediummountainstage.svg

|Medium mountain stage

|{{flagathlete|Joaquim Rodríguez|ESP}}

style="text-align:center;"|9

| style="text-align:center;"|28 August

|VillacastínSierra de Bejar. La Covatilla

| style="text-align:center;"| {{convert|183|km|abbr=on}}

| style="text-align:center;"|File:Mountainstage.svg

|Mountain stage

|{{flagathlete|Dan Martin|IRL}}

style="text-align:center;"|10

| style="text-align:center;"|29 August

|Salamanca

| style="text-align:center;"| {{convert|47|km|1|abbr=on}}

| style="text-align:center;"|File:Time Trial.svg

|Individual time trial

|{{flagathlete|Tony Martin|GER}}

| style="text-align:center;"|30 August

| colspan="6" style="text-align:center;"|Rest day

style="text-align:center;"|11

| style="text-align:center;"|31 August

|VerínEstación de Esquí Manzaneda

| style="text-align:center;"| {{convert|167|km|abbr=on}}

| style="text-align:center;"| File:Mountainstage.svg

|Mountain stage

|{{flagathlete|David Moncoutié|FRA}}

style="text-align:center;"|12

| style="text-align:center;"|1 September

|PonteareasPontevedra

| style="text-align:center;"| {{convert|167.3|km|abbr=on}}

| style="text-align:center;"|22px

|Flat stage

|{{flagathlete|Peter Sagan|SVK}}

style="text-align:center;"|13

| style="text-align:center;"|2 September

|SarriaPonferrada

| style="text-align:center;"| {{convert|158.2|km|1|abbr=on}}

| style="text-align:center;"|File:Mountainstage.svg

|Mountain stage

|{{flagathlete|Michael Albasini|SUI}}

style="text-align:center;"|14

| style="text-align:center;"|3 September

|AstorgaLa Farrapona. Lagos de Somiedo

| style="text-align:center;"| {{convert|172.8|km|1|abbr=on}}

| style="text-align:center;"| File:Mountainstage.svg

|Mountain stage

|{{flagathlete|Rein Taaramäe|EST}}

style="text-align:center;"|15

| style="text-align:center;"|4 September

|AvilésAngliru

| style="text-align:center;"| {{convert|142.2|km|abbr=on}}

| style="text-align:center;"| File:Mountainstage.svg

|Mountain stage

|{{flagathlete|Juan José Cobo|ESP}}
{{flagathlete|Wout Poels|NED}}{{cite web |last1=Ballinger |first1=Alex |title='It's pretty s***': Wout Poels crowned winner of Angliru stage at 2011 Vuelta a España after Juan José Cobo doping revelation |url=https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/racing/vuelta-a-espana/pretty-s-wout-poels-crowned-winner-angliru-stage-2011-vuelta-espana-juan-jose-cobo-doping-revelation-431704 |publisher=Cycling Weekly |access-date=24 July 2019 |date=18 July 2019}}

| style="text-align:center;"|5 September

| colspan="6" style="text-align:center;"|Rest day

style="text-align:center;"|16

| style="text-align:center;"|6 September

|Villa Romana La Olmeda (Palencia) – Haro

| style="text-align:center;"| {{convert|188.1|km|1|abbr=on}}

| style="text-align:center;"| 22px

|Flat stage

|{{flagathlete|Juan José Haedo|ARG}}

style="text-align:center;"|17

| style="text-align:center;"|7 September

|Faustino V (Oyón)Peña Cabarga

| style="text-align:center;"| {{convert|211|km|abbr=on}}

| style="text-align:center;"|File:Mountainstage.svg

|Mountain stage

|{{flagathlete|Chris Froome|GBR}}

style="text-align:center;"|18

| style="text-align:center;"|8 September

|SolaresNoja

| style="text-align:center;"| {{convert|174.6|km|abbr=on}}

|File:Mediummountainstage.svg

|Medium mountain stage

|{{flagathlete|Francesco Gavazzi|ITA}}

style="text-align:center;"|19

| style="text-align:center;"|9 September

|NojaBilbao

| style="text-align:center;"| {{convert|158.5|km|abbr=on}}

| style="text-align:center;"| File:Mediummountainstage.svg

|Medium mountain stage

|{{flagathlete|Igor Antón|ESP}}

style="text-align:center;"|20

| style="text-align:center;"|10 September

|BilbaoVitoria-Gasteiz

| style="text-align:center;"| {{convert|185|km|1|abbr=on}}

| style="text-align:center;"| File:Mediummountainstage.svg

|Medium mountain stage

|{{flagathlete|Daniele Bennati|ITA}}

style="text-align:center;"|21

| style="text-align:center;"|11 September

|Circuito del JaramaMadrid

| style="text-align:center;"| {{convert|94.2|km|abbr=on}}

|File:Plainstage.svg

|Flat stage

|{{flagathlete|Peter Sagan|SVK}}

| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"| TOTAL

| colspan="5" style="text-align:center;" | 3319.8 km (2062.8 mi)

Race overview

For details see 2011 Vuelta a España, Stage 1 to Stage 11 and 2011 Vuelta a España, Stage 12 to Stage 21

The Vuelta began with a team time trial in Benidorm. The {{UCI team code|LEO|2011}} squad won this stage. Danish General Classification contender Jakob Fuglsang passed the finish line as first and was the first cyclist to wear the red leaders jersey.{{cite web|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/vuelta-a-espana/stage-1/results|title=Leopard Trek claims team time trial|publisher=Cyclingnews.com |access-date=1 October 2011}} Fuglsang lost the leaders jersey after just one day to team-mate Daniele Bennati in a sprinter's stage which was won by Christopher Sutton of {{UCI team code|SKY|2011}}.{{cite web|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/vuelta-a-espana/stage-2/results|title=Sutton speeds to victory in Spain|publisher=Cyclingnews.com |access-date=1 October 2011}}

Stage 3 saw the first victory out of a break-away. Out of this break-away it was Pablo Lastras ({{UCI team code|MOV|2011}}) who attacked on the last climb and held a small margin until the finish line in Totana. Runner-up of the stage, Sylvain Chavanel ({{UCI team code|QST|2011}}), was the third cyclist who was awarded the red leaders jersey.{{cite web|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/vuelta-a-espana/stage-3/results |title=Lastras solos to Vuelta stage win |publisher=Cyclingnews.com |access-date=1 October 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111103151926/http://www.cyclingnews.com/vuelta-a-espana/stage-3/results |archive-date=3 November 2011 }}

No serious attacks were made by the GC contenders on the first mountain stage of the Vuelta. On the climb to the Sierra Nevada it was Daniel Moreno ({{UCI team code|KAT|2011}}) who attacked with Chris Anker Sørensen ({{UCI team code|SBS|2011}}) and who beat the Danish climber in the sprint. Chavanel was the first rider who was awarded the leaders jersey two days in a row.{{cite web|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/vuelta-a-espana/stage-4/results|title=Moreno climbs to stage victory in the Sierra Nevada|publisher=Cyclingnews.com |access-date=1 October 2011}}

Igor Antón ({{UCI team code|EUS|2011}}) won in the 2009 Vuelta a España the stage on the steep ascend of Valdepeñas de Jaén. The Basque lost much time on stage 4 and showed no good form in the Vuelta.{{cite web|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/antons-vuelta-hopes-fade|title=Anton's Vuelta hopes fade|date=24 August 2011|publisher=Cyclingnews.com |access-date=9 September 2011}} He couldn't repeat his stage victory. Joaquim Rodríguez ({{UCI team code|KAT|2011}}), a specialist on very steep hills, won the stage before the surprisingly strong Dutchman Wout Poels ({{UCI team code|VAC|2011}}) and team-mate Daniel Moreno. Leader Chavanel lost several seconds but managed to keep the lead in the race.{{cite web|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/vuelta-a-espana/stage-5/results |title=Rodriguez powers to stage victory |publisher=Cyclingnews.com |access-date=1 October 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120824204834/http://www.cyclingnews.com/vuelta-a-espana/stage-5/results |archive-date=24 August 2012 }}

The Liquigas team of Vincenzo Nibali rode a strong descent in the final of stage 6 and managed to form a small break-away with four Liquigas riders and former stage winner Lastras. From the four Liquigas riders Peter Sagan took his first Grand-Tour victory. Nibali failed to gain bonification seconds due to miscommunication within the team. The 2010 winner took sixteen seconds on his direct concurrents for the overall victory.{{cite web|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/vuelta-a-espana/stage-6/results|title=Sagan leads Liquigas lashing in Córdoba |publisher=Cyclingnews.com |access-date=30 September 2011}} The next day Sagan sprinted again for the stage victory but couldn't beat German talent Marcel Kittel ({{UCI team code|SKS|2011}}) in a sprint which was characterized by a huge crash of American sprinter Tyler Farrar ({{UCI team code|GRM|2011}}) in which he didn't suffer any serious injuries.{{cite web|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/farrar-unbroken-after-dramatic-vuelta-crash|title=Farrar unbroken after dramatic Vuelta crash|date=27 August 2011|publisher=Cyclingnews.com |access-date=9 September 2011}}

Doping

On 13 June 2019, the UCI announced that Cobo's biological passport had indicated the use of performance-enhancing drugs in the period between 2009 and 2011. He was therefore considered ineligible for results. Cobo had one month to lodge an appeal against the decision.{{cite web |title=Chris Froome stands to be declared winner of 2011 Vuelta a Espana |url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/chris-froome-stands-to-be-declared-winner-of-2011-vuelta-a-espana/ |website=cyclingnews.com |access-date=13 June 2019 |date=13 June 2019}} On 17 July 2019, as the time for Cobo to appeal the decision expired with no application, the UCI announced that it recognised Chris Froome as the 2011 champion. Bradley Wiggins was promoted to second place, and Bauke Mollema promoted to third.

Classification leadership table

class="wikitable" style="text-align: center; font-size:smaller;"
style="width:1%;"| Stage

! style="width:14%;"| Winner

! style="width:14%;"| General classification
25px

! style="width:14%;"| Points classification
25px

! style="width:14%;"| Mountains classification
25px

! style="width:14%;"| Combination Classification
25px

! style="width:14%;"| Team classification

! style="width:14%;"| Combativity award

1

| {{UCI team code|LEO|2011}}

| style="background:salmon;"| Jakob Fuglsang

| style="background:#EFEFEF;"| no award

| style="background:#EFEFEF;"| no award

| style="background:#EFEFEF;"| no award

| style="background:orange;" rowspan=2| {{UCI team code|LEO|2011}}

| style="background:white;"| Fabian Cancellara

2

| Christopher Sutton

| style="background:salmon;"| Daniele Bennati

| style="background:lightgreen;"| Christopher Sutton

| style="background:lightblue;"| Paul Martens

| style="background:white;"| Jesús Rosendo

| style="background:white;"| Adam Hansen

3

| Pablo Lastras

| style="background:salmon;"| Pablo Lastras

| style="background:lightgreen;" rowspan=2| Pablo Lastras

| style="background:lightblue;"| Pablo Lastras

| style="background:white;"| Pablo Lastras

| style="background:orange;"| {{UCI team code|MOV|2011}}

| style="background:white;"| Sylvain Chavanel

4

| Daniel Moreno

| style="background:salmon;" rowspan=4| Sylvain Chavanel

| style="background:lightblue;" rowspan=5| Daniel Moreno

| style="background:white;" rowspan=5| Daniel Moreno

| style="background:orange;" rowspan=5| {{UCI team code|RSH|2011}}

| style="background:white;"| Thomas Rohregger

5

| Joaquim Rodríguez

| style="background:lightgreen;"| Daniel Moreno

| style="background:white;"| Michael Albasini

6

| Peter Sagan

| style="background:lightgreen;"| Joaquim Rodríguez

| style="background:white;"| Martin Kohler

7

| Marcel Kittel

| style="background:lightgreen;"| Peter Sagan

| style="background:white;"| Luis Ángel Maté

8

| Joaquim Rodríguez

| style="background:salmon;"| Joaquim Rodríguez

| style="background:lightgreen;" rowspan=9| Joaquim Rodríguez

| style="background:white;"| Adrián Palomares

9

| Daniel Martin

| style="background:salmon;"| Bauke Mollema

| style="background:lightblue;" rowspan=2| Daniel Martin

| style="background:white;" rowspan=4| Bauke Mollema

| style="background:orange;"| {{UCI team code|GEO|2011}}

| style="background:white;"| Sebastian Lang

10

| Tony Martin

| style="background:salmon;"| Chris Froome

| style="background:orange;"| {{UCI team code|LEO|2011}}

| style="background:white;"| Tony Martin

11

| David Moncoutié

| style="background:salmon;" rowspan=4| Bradley Wiggins

| style="background:lightblue;" rowspan=2| Matteo Montaguti

| style="background:orange;" rowspan=3| {{UCI team code|RSH|2011}}

| style="background:white;"| Adrián Palomares

12

| Peter Sagan

| style="background:white;"| Adam Hansen

13

| Michael Albasini

| style="background:lightblue;" rowspan=9| David Moncoutié

| style="background:white;"| Daniel Moreno

| style="background:white;"| Amets Txurruka

14

| Rein Taaramäe

| style="background:white;"| Bauke Mollema

| style="background:orange;" rowspan=8| {{UCI team code|GEO|2011}}

| style="background:white;"| David de la Fuente

15

| Juan José Cobo
Wout Poels

| style="background:salmon;" rowspan=7| Juan José Cobo

| style="background:white;" rowspan=7| Juan José Cobo

| style="background:white;"| Simon Geschke

16

| Juan José Haedo

| style="background:white;"| Jesús Rosendo

17

| Chris Froome

| style="background:lightgreen;"| Bauke Mollema

| style="background:white;"| Johannes Fröhlinger

18

| Francesco Gavazzi

| style="background:lightgreen;" rowspan=3| Joaquim Rodríguez

| style="background:white;"| Sérgio Paulinho

19

| Igor Antón

| style="background:white;"| Igor Antón

20

| Daniele Bennati

| style="background:white;"| Carlos Barredo

21

| Peter Sagan

| style="background:lightgreen;"| Bauke Mollema

| style="background:white;"| no award

colspan=2| Final

! style="background:red;"| Juan José Cobo
Chris Froome

! style="background:green;"| Bauke Mollema

! style="background:blue;"| David Moncoutié

! style="background:white;"| Juan José Cobo
Chris Froome

! style="background:darkorange;"| {{UCI team code|GEO|2011}}

! style="background:white;"| Adrián Palomares

Standings

{{columns-start}}

=General classification=

class="wikitable"
!Rider

!Team

!Time

bgcolor=pink

| DSQ

| {{flagathlete|Juan José Cobo|ESP}}

| {{UCI team code|GEO|2011}}

| style="text-align:right;"| 84:59:31

1

| {{flagathlete|Chris Froome|GBR}} 20px 20px

| {{UCI team code|SKY|2011}}

| style="text-align:right;"| 84:59:44

2

| {{flagathlete|Bradley Wiggins|GBR}}

| {{UCI team code|SKY|2011}}

| style="text-align:right;"| + 1' 26"

3

| {{flagathlete|Bauke Mollema|NED}} 20px

| {{UCI team code|RAB|2011}}

| style="text-align:right;"| + 1' 50"

4

| {{flagathlete|Denis Menchov|RUS}}

| {{UCI team code|GEO|2011}}

| style="text-align:right;"| + 3' 35"

5

| {{flagathlete|Maxime Monfort|BEL}}

| {{UCI team code|LEO|2011}}

| style="text-align:right;"| + 4' 00"

6

| {{flagathlete|Vincenzo Nibali|ITA}}

| {{UCI team code|LIQ|2011}}

| style="text-align:right;"| + 4' 18"

7

| {{flagathlete|Jurgen Van den Broeck|BEL}}

| {{UCI team code|OLO|2011}}

| style="text-align:right;"| + 4' 32"

8

| {{flagathlete|Daniel Moreno|ESP}}

| {{UCI team code|KAT|2011}}

| style="text-align:right;"| + 5' 07"

9

| {{flagathlete|Mikel Nieve|ESP}}

| {{UCI team code|EUS|2011}}

| style="text-align:right;"| + 5' 20"

{{column}}

=Points classification=

class="wikitable"
!Rider

!Team

!Points

1

| {{flagathlete|Bauke Mollema|NED}} 20px

| {{UCI team code|RAB|2011}}

| align=right| 122

2

| {{flagathlete|Joaquim Rodríguez|ESP}}

| {{UCI team code|KAT|2011}}

| align=right| 115

3

| {{flagathlete|Daniele Bennati|ITA}}

| {{UCI team code|LEO|2011}}

| align=right| 101

4

| {{flagathlete|Peter Sagan|SVK}}

| {{UCI team code|LIQ|2011}}

| align=right| 100

bgcolor=pink

| DSQ

| {{flagathlete|Juan José Cobo|ESP}}

| {{UCI team code|GEO|2011}}

| align=right| 92

5

| {{flagathlete|Chris Froome|GBR}} 20px20px

| {{UCI team code|SKY|2011}}

| align=right| 88

6

| {{flagathlete|Daniel Moreno|ESP}}

| {{UCI team code|KAT|2011}}

| align=right| 83

7

| {{flagathlete|Wout Poels|NED}}

| {{UCI team code|VCD|2011}}

| align=right| 71

8

| {{flagathlete|Dan Martin|IRL}}

| {{UCI team code|GRM|2011}}

| align=right| 70

9

| {{flagathlete|Bradley Wiggins|GBR}}

| {{UCI team code|SKY|2011}}

| align=right| 69

{{columns-end}}

{{columns-start}}

=King of the Mountains classification=

class="wikitable"
!Rider

!Team

!Points

1

| {{flagathlete|David Moncoutié|FRA}} 20px

| {{UCI team code|COF|2011}}

| align=right| 63

2

| {{flagathlete|Matteo Montaguti|ITA}}

| {{UCI team code|ALM|2011}}

| align=right| 56

bgcolor=pink

| DSQ

| {{flagathlete|Juan José Cobo|ESP}}

| {{UCI team code|GEO|2011}}

| align=right| 42

3

| {{flagathlete|Dan Martin|IRL}}

| {{UCI team code|GRM|2011}}

| align=right| 33

4

| {{flagathlete|Daniel Moreno|ESP}}

| {{UCI team code|KAT|2011}}

| align=right| 32

5

| {{flagathlete|David de la Fuente|ESP}}

| {{UCI team code|GEO|2011}}

| align=right| 24

6

| {{flagathlete|Nico Sijmens|BEL}}

| {{UCI team code|COF|2011}}

| align=right| 22

7

| {{flagathlete|Chris Froome|GBR}} 20px20px

| {{UCI team code|SKY|2011}}

| align=right| 21

8

| {{flagathlete|Chris Anker Sørensen|DEN}}

| {{UCI team code|SBS|2011}}

| align=right| 20

9

| {{flagathlete|Koen de Kort|NED}}

| {{UCI team code|SKS|2011}}

| align=right| 19

{{column}}

=Combination classification=

class="wikitable"
!Rider

!Team

!Total

bgcolor=pink

|DSQ

| {{flagathlete|Juan José Cobo|ESP}}

| {{UCI team code|GEO|2011}}

| align=right| 9

1

| {{flagathlete|Chris Froome|GBR}} 20px20px

| {{UCI team code|SKY|2011}}

| align=right| 16

2

| {{flagathlete|Bauke Mollema|NED}} 20px

| {{UCI team code|RAB|2011}}

| align=right| 17

3

| {{flagathlete|Daniel Moreno|ESP}}

| {{UCI team code|KAT|2011}}

| align=right| 21

4

| {{flagathlete|Dan Martin|IRL}}

| {{UCI team code|GRM|2011}}

| align=right| 26

5

| {{flagathlete|Wout Poels|NED}}

| {{UCI team code|VCD|2011}}

| align=right| 38

6

| {{flagathlete|Bradley Wiggins|GBR}}

| {{UCI team code|SKY|2011}}

| align=right| 39

7

| {{flagathlete|Joaquim Rodríguez|ESP}}

| {{UCI team code|KAT|2011}}

| align=right| 48

8

| {{flagathlete|Chris Anker Sørensen|DEN}}

| {{UCI team code|SBS|2011}}

| align=right| 51

9

| {{flagathlete|Denis Menchov|RUS}}

| {{UCI team code|GEO|2011}}

| align=right| 52

{{columns-end}}

{{columns-start}}

=Team classification=

class="wikitable"
Pos.

!Team

!Time

1

| {{flagicon|ESP}} {{UCI team code|GEO|2011}}

|align=right| {{nowrap|254h 32′ 28"}}

2

| {{flagicon|LUX}} {{UCI team code|LEO|2011}}

|align=right| + 10′ 19"

3

| {{flagicon|ESP}} {{UCI team code|EUS|2011}}

|align=right| + 16′ 44"

4

|{{UCI team code|KAT|2011}}

|align=right| + 43' 18"

5

| {{flagicon|FRA}} {{UCI team code|ALM|2011}}

|align=right| + 43′ 27″

6

| {{flagicon|NED}} {{UCI team code|RAB|2011}}

|align=right| + 54′ 32″

7

| {{flagicon|KAZ}} {{UCI team code|AST|2011}}

|align=right| + 58′ 56″

8

| {{flagicon|ITA}} {{UCI team code|LIQ|2011}}

|align=right| + 1h 01′ 51"

9

| {{flagicon|ESP}} {{UCI team code|MOV|2011}}

|align=right| + 1h 05′ 11″

10

| {{flagicon|GBR}} {{UCI team code|SKY|2011}}

|align=right| + 1h 09′ 45″

The UCI disqualified Juan José Cobo and Carlos Barredo from the race. If you ignore them in the daily results, Geox–TMC would drop to 3rd place, Rabobank would end up 13th, and Team RadioShack would be 10th.

{{columns-end}}

=World rankings points=

The Vuelta was one of 27 events throughout the season that contributed points towards the 2011 UCI World Tour. Points were awarded to the top 20 finishers overall, and to the top five finishers in each stage. Only riders on UCI ProTour teams were eligible to receive rankings points, so winner Juan Cobo was not rewarded in this table.{{cite web

|url=http://www.uci.ch/Modules/BUILTIN/getObject.asp?MenuId=MTU2MzU&ObjTypeCode=FILE&type=FILE&id=NDk5MDY&LangId=1

|title=Points scale – UCI World Ranking

|publisher=Union Cycliste Internationale

|access-date=2010-07-17

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100603221313/http://www.uci.ch/Modules/BUILTIN/getObject.asp?MenuId=MTU2MzU&ObjTypeCode=FILE&type=FILE&id=NDk5MDY&LangId=1

|archive-date=3 June 2010

|url-status=dead

}}

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

class="wikitable" style=" margin-bottom:0;"

|+Points earned in the Vuelta{{cite web | url=http://www.uciworldtour.com/Modules/BUILTIN/getObject.asp?MenuId=MTYwNzk&ObjTypeCode=FILE&type=FILE&id=NjY0NDQ&LangId=1 | title=2011 UCI World Ranking Detailed Gained Points | date=15 August 2011 | publisher=Union Cycliste Internationale | access-date=17 August 2011 | archive-date=16 March 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120316101655/http://www.uciworldtour.com/Modules/BUILTIN/getObject.asp?MenuId=MTYwNzk&ObjTypeCode=FILE&type=FILE&id=NjY0NDQ&LangId=1 | url-status=dead }}

!Name

!Team

!Points

{{flagathlete|{{sortname|Chris|Froome}}|GBR}}

| {{UCI team code|SKY|2011}}

| style="text-align:right;"| 157

{{flagathlete|{{sortname|Bradley|Wiggins}}|GBR}}

| {{UCI team code|SKY|2011}}

| style="text-align:right;"| 108

{{flagathlete|{{sortname|Bauke|Mollema}}|NED}}

| {{UCI team code|RAB|2011}}

| style="text-align:right;"| 108

{{flagathlete|{{sortname|Maxime|Monfort}}|BEL}}

| {{UCI team code|THR|2011}}

| style="text-align:right;"| 70

{{flagathlete|{{sortname|Daniel|Moreno}}|ESP}}

| {{UCI team code|KAT|2011}}

| style="text-align:right;"| 68

{{flagathlete|{{sortname|Vincenzo|Nibali}}|ITA}}

| {{UCI team code|LIQ|2011}}

| style="text-align:right;"| 62

{{flagathlete|{{sortname|Peter|Sagan}}|SVK}}

| {{UCI team code|LIQ|2011}}

| style="text-align:right;"| 56

{{flagathlete|{{sortname|Jurgen|Van Den Broeck}}|BEL}}

| {{UCI team code|OLO|2011}}

| style="text-align:right;"| 54

{{flagathlete|{{sortname|Dan|Martin|Dan Martin (cyclist)}}|IRE}}

| {{UCI team code|GRM|2011}}

| style="text-align:right;"| 44

{{flagathlete|{{sortname|Mikel|Nieve}}|ESP}}

| {{UCI team code|EUS|2011}}

| style="text-align:right;"| 38

{{flagathlete|{{sortname|Joaquim|Rodríguez}}|ESP}}

| {{UCI team code|KAT|2011}}

| style="text-align:right;"| 38

{{col-2}}

class="wikitable" style="margin-bottom:0;"

|+Top ten of the individual standings after the Vuelta{{cite web|url=http://www.uci.ch/templates/BUILTIN-NOFRAMES/Template3/layout.asp?MenuId=MjExMw&LangId=1 |title=UCI World Ranking – 2011 |date=12 September 2011 |publisher=Union Cycliste Internationale |access-date=12 September 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100724043126/http://www.uci.ch/templates/BUILTIN-NOFRAMES/Template3/layout.asp?MenuId=MjExMw&LangId=1 |archive-date=24 July 2010 }} This update also includes races that took place during the Vuelta, and one that finished a few hours after the Vuelta but on the same day.

style="background:#ccf;"

!Rank

!Prev.

!Name

!Team

!Points

style="text-align:center;"| 1

| style="text-align:center;"| 2

| {{flagathlete|{{sortname|Philippe|Gilbert}}|BEL}}

| {{UCI team code|OLO|2011}}

| style="text-align:right;"| 698

style="text-align:center;"| 2

| style="text-align:center;"| 1

| {{flagathlete|{{sortname|Cadel|Evans}}|AUS}}

| {{UCI team code|BMC|2011}}

| style="text-align:right;"| 574

style="text-align:center;"| 3

| style="text-align:center;"| 3

| {{flagathlete|{{sortname|Alberto|Contador}}|ESP}}

| {{UCI team code|SAX|2011}}

| style="text-align:right;"| 471

style="text-align:center;"| 4

| style="text-align:center;"| 5

| {{flagathlete|{{sortname|Joaquim|Rodríguez}}|ESP}}

| {{UCI team code|KAT|2011}}

| style="text-align:right;"| 366

style="text-align:center;"| 5

| style="text-align:center;"| 4

| {{flagathlete|{{sortname|Michele|Scarponi}}|ITA}}

| {{UCI team code|LAM|2011}}

| style="text-align:right;"| 357

style="text-align:center;"| 6

| style="text-align:center;"| 6

| {{flagathlete|{{sortname|Samuel|Sánchez}}|ESP}}

| {{UCI team code|EUS|2011}}

| style="text-align:right;"| 307

style="text-align:center;"| 7

| style="text-align:center;"| 16

| {{flagathlete|{{sortname|Bradley|Wiggins}}|GBR}}

| {{UCI team code|SKY|2011}}

| style="text-align:right;"| 289

style="text-align:center;"| 8

| style="text-align:center;"| 7

| {{flagathlete|{{sortname|Fränk|Schleck}}|LUX}}

| {{UCI team code|LEO|2011}}

| style="text-align:right;"| 284

style="text-align:center;"| 9

| style="text-align:center;"| 13

| {{flagathlete|{{sortname|Vincenzo|Nibali}}|ITA}}

| {{UCI team code|LIQ|2011}}

| style="text-align:right;"| 272

style="text-align:center;"| 10

| style="text-align:center;"| 17

| {{flagathlete|{{sortname|Edvald|Boasson Hagen}}|NOR}}

| {{UCI team code|SKY|2011}}

| style="text-align:right;"| 260

{{col-end}}

References

{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}