2017 Vuelta a España

{{main list|List of teams and cyclists in the 2017 Vuelta a España}}

File:Tour d'Espagne - stage 1 - préparatif aux arènes de Nîmes.jpg in Nîmes, France, hosted the team presentation ceremony on 19 August.]]

The 2017 edition of the Vuelta a España consisted of 22 teams.{{cite web|title=Teams – The riders, videos, photos – La Vuelta 2017|url=http://www.lavuelta.com/la-vuelta/2017/us/teams.html|work=Vuelta a España|publisher=Unipublic|access-date=5 July 2017}} All eighteen UCI WorldTeams were entitled, and obliged, to enter the race.{{cite web|url=http://www.uci.ch/mm/Document/News/Rulesandregulation/17/12/84/Colonnededroite-changementsau01.01.2017-Majdu22.12.2016-E_English.pdf|title=UCI Cycling Regulations: Part 2: Road Races page 29 article 2.15.128|work=Union Cycliste Internationale|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729213502/http://www.uci.ch/mm/Document/News/Rulesandregulation/17/12/84/Colonnededroite-changementsau01.01.2017-Majdu22.12.2016-E_English.pdf|archive-date=29 July 2017|url-status=live|access-date=5 July 2017}} On 27 March 2017, the organiser of the Vuelta, Unipublic, announced the four second-tier UCI Professional Continental teams given wildcard invitations.{{cite news|last=Wynn|first=Nigel|title=Wildcard teams revealed for 2017 Vuelta a España|url=http://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/racing/vuelta-a-espana/wildcard-teams-revealed-2017-vuelta-espana-321929|access-date=29 August 2017|work=Cycling Weekly|date=27 March 2017}} The presentation of the teams – where the members of each team's roster are introduced in front of the media and local dignitaries – took place inside the Arena of Nîmes in Nîmes, France, on 19 August, before the start of stage one, held in the city.{{cite news|title=2017 Vuelta a Espana launched across Nimes' Roman landmarks - Gallery|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/2017-vuelta-a-espana-launched-across-nimes-roman-landmarks-gallery/|access-date=29 August 2017|website=Cyclingnews.com|date=19 August 2017}}

Each squad was allowed a maximum of nine riders, resulting in a start list total of 198 riders.{{cite web|title=Start list – La Vuelta 2017|url=http://www.lavuelta.com/la-vuelta/2017/us/starters.html|work=Vuelta a España|publisher=Unipublic|access-date=29 August 2017}} Of these, 75 were competing in their first Vuelta a España.{{cite web|title=Vuelta a España 2017 – Debutants|url=http://www.procyclingstats.com/race.php?id=171127&c=3&code=startlist-debutants|website=ProCyclingStats|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170830011139/http://www.procyclingstats.com/race.php?id=171127&c=3&code=startlist-debutants|archive-date=30 August 2017|url-status=live|access-date=30 August 2017}} The total number of riders that finished the race was 158.{{cite web|title=Classifications stage 21 – Arroyomolinos > Madrid – La Vuelta 2017|url=http://www.lavuelta.com/la-vuelta/2017/us/stage-21/classifications.html|work=Vuelta a España|publisher=Unipublic|access-date=21 October 2017}} The riders came from 33 countries. Six countries had more than 10 riders in the race: Spain (31), France (20), Italy (20), Belgium (17), the Netherlands (15), and Colombia (12). The average age of riders in the race was 27.6 years,{{cite web|title=Vuelta a España 2017 – Peloton averages|url=http://www.procyclingstats.com/race.php?id=171127&c=3&code=startlist-general-peloton-averages|website=ProCyclingStats|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170830011248/http://www.procyclingstats.com/race.php?id=171127&c=3&code=startlist-general-peloton-averages|archive-date=30 August 2017|url-status=live|access-date=30 August 2017}} ranging from the 20-year-old Lennard Kämna ({{UCI team code|SUN|2017}}) to the 40-year-old Svein Tuft ({{UCI team code|ORS|2017}}).{{cite web|title=Vuelta a España 2017 – Youngest competitors|url=http://www.procyclingstats.com/race.php?id=171127&c=3&code=startlist-youngest-competitors|website=ProCyclingStats|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170830011340/http://www.procyclingstats.com/race.php?id=171127&c=3&code=startlist-youngest-competitors|archive-date=30 August 2017|url-status=live|access-date=30 August 2017}}{{cite web|title=Vuelta a España 2017 – Oldest competitors|url=http://www.procyclingstats.com/race.php?id=171127&c=3&code=startlist-oldest-competitors|website=ProCyclingStats|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170830011712/http://www.procyclingstats.com/race.php?id=171127&c=3&code=startlist-oldest-competitors|archive-date=30 August 2017|url-status=live|access-date=30 August 2017}} {{UCI team code|MZN|2017}} had the youngest average age while {{UCI team code|TFS|2017}} had the oldest.{{cite web|title=Vuelta a España 2017 – Average team age|url=http://www.procyclingstats.com/race.php?id=171127&c=3&code=startlist-average-team-age|website=ProCyclingStats|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170830011751/http://www.procyclingstats.com/race.php?id=171127&c=3&code=startlist-average-team-age|archive-date=30 August 2017|url-status=live|access-date=30 August 2017}}

The teams entering the race were:

{{cyclingteamlist|ALM|AST|TBM|BMC|BOH|EFD|DDD|FDJ|KAT|TLJ|LTS|MOV|ORS|QST|SKY|SUN|TFS|team1={{UCI team code|UAD|2017b}}|title = UCI WorldTeams|year=2017|style=margin-right:20%;}}

{{Cyclingteamlist|year=2017|title=Professional Continental teams|ABS|CJR|COF|MZN|style=margin-right:20%;}}

File:Tour de France 2017, froome (36124020176).jpg winner Chris Froome ({{UCI team code|SKY|2017}}) was seen by many as the leading pre-race favourite.]]

Reigning Vuelta champion Nairo Quintana ({{UCI team code|MOV|2017|nolink=yes}}) chose not to defend his title, after having competed in both the Giro d'Italia and the Tour de France earlier in the season.{{cite web|title=Quintana confirms he will stay at Movistar and target 2018 Tour de France|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/quintana-confirms-he-will-stay-at-movistar-and-target-2018-tour-de-france/|website=Cyclingnews.com|access-date=18 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170818110611/http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/quintana-confirms-he-will-stay-at-movistar-and-target-2018-tour-de-france/|archive-date=18 August 2017|date=17 August 2017}} Chris Froome ({{UCI team code|SKY|2017|nolink=yes}}), who arrived at the Vuelta having won his fourth Tour de France the month before, was considered the favourite by most commentators and bookmakers.{{cite web|last=Henrys|first=Colin|title=Chris Froome the bookies' favourite as he targets historic Vuelta a Espana 2017 win|url=https://roadcyclinguk.com/racing/previews/vuelta-espana-2017-preview-can-anyone-stop-chris-froome.html|work=Road Cycling UK|publisher=Mpora|access-date=18 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170818110758/https://roadcyclinguk.com/racing/previews/vuelta-espana-2017-preview-can-anyone-stop-chris-froome.html|archive-date=18 August 2017|date=28 July 2017}}{{cite web|last=Cunningham|first=Craig|title=Vuelta a España 2017: Who are the bookmakers backing for victory?|url=http://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/racing/vuelta-espana-2017-bookmakers-backing-victory-344235|work=Cycling Weekly|access-date=18 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170818110957/http://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/racing/vuelta-espana-2017-bookmakers-backing-victory-344235|archive-date=18 August 2017|date=18 August 2017}}{{cite news|title=Chris Froome – Vuelta a Espana 2017: Climbers, debutants and a retiring champion – who to watch in year's final grand tour|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/cycling/0/vuelta-espana-2017-climbers-debutants-retiring-champion-watch/chris-froome-vuelta-espana-2017-climbers-debutants-retiring/|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=8 September 2017|date=15 August 2017}}{{cite news|last=Scrivener|first=Peter|title=Vuelta a Espana 2017: Why Chris Froome starts the race as favourite|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cycling/40959166|access-date=8 September 2017|publisher=BBC Sport|date=19 August 2017}}{{cite news|last=Robinson|first=Joe|title=Who will win the 2017 Vuelta a Espana? We look at the favourites|url=http://www.cyclist.co.uk/news/3270/who-will-win-the-2017-vuelta-a-espana-we-look-at-the-favourites|access-date=8 September 2017|work=Cyclist|publisher=Dennis Publishing|date=17 August 2017}} Froome had previously finished second at the Vuelta on three occasions. A victory in Spain would make him only the third rider after Jacques Anquetil (in 1963) and Bernard Hinault (in 1978) to win both the Tour and the Vuelta in the same season, and the first rider to do so since the race was moved in the calendar from spring to late summer. It would also make him the first British rider to win the race.

In Quintana's absence, bib number one was handed to three-time winner Alberto Contador ({{UCI team code|TFS|2017|nolink=yes}}), who announced in early August that he would retire from cycling after the race.{{cite web|title=Contador to wear number 1 at final Vuelta a España|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/contador-to-wear-number-1-at-final-vuelta-a-espana/|website=Cyclingnews.com|access-date=18 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170818111505/http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/contador-to-wear-number-1-at-final-vuelta-a-espana/|archive-date=18 August 2017|date=8 August 2017}} Contador was considered to be among the favourites, although his performances in recent Grand Tours had cast doubt upon his potential.{{cite web|last=Fotheringham|first=Alasdair|title=Vuelta a España Preview: Chris Froome and unfinished business|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/vuelta-a-espana/preview/|website=Cyclingnews.com|access-date=18 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170818112243/http://www.cyclingnews.com/vuelta-a-espana/preview/|archive-date=18 August 2017|date=15 August 2017}} 2010 winner Vincenzo Nibali ({{UCI team code|TBM|2017|nolink=yes}}) was considered to be Froome's closest rival for overall victory, having skipped the Tour de France. Fabio Aru ({{UCI team code|AST|2017|nolink=yes}}), winner of the 2015 edition, started the race as a favourite as well after he performed well to finish fifth overall at the Tour de France.

The previous year's third-placed finisher, Esteban Chaves ({{UCI team code|ORS|2017|nolink=yes}}), was also given chances to win the race overall. Other riders mentioned to potentially finish high in the general classification were Steven Kruijswijk ({{UCI team code|TLJ|2017|nolink=yes}}) and Rafał Majka ({{UCI team code|BOH|2017|nolink=yes}}), third in 2015. Potential favourites to make their debut at the Vuelta were Ilnur Zakarin ({{UCI team code|KAT|2017|nolink=yes}}), who had finished fifth at the Giro d'Italia in May, as well as both Adam and Simon Yates (both {{UCI team code|ORS|2017|nolink=yes}}).

{{main|2017 Vuelta a España, Stage 1 to Stage 11|2017 Vuelta a España, Stage 12 to Stage 21}}

The route of the 2017 Vuelta a España was revealed by Unipublic on 12 January 2017.{{cite news|title=Vuelta a España announces 2017 route|url=http://www.velonews.com/2017/01/news/vuelta-espana-announces-2017-route_427875|access-date=8 September 2017|work=VeloNews|publisher=Competitor Group, Inc.|date=12 January 2017}} Keeping with the tradition of the past few years, the race started off with a team time trial. However, the race started in France, just the third time in history that the Spanish Grand Tour began outside of its home country.

The third stage saw the race leave France, with a mountain stage to Andorra la Vella. The first uphill finale was on stage 5, with a summit finish atop the Ermita de Santa Lucía. The queen stage of the 2017 Vuelta was stage 20, which featured a summit finish atop the Alto de l'Angliru. Finally, the race ended with a customary circuit race in Madrid.

The Vuelta a España had three individual classifications, for which jerseys were awarded daily to the leading rider, as well as a team competition. The primary classification was the general classification, which was calculated by adding each rider's finishing times on each stage.{{sfn|Race regulations|2017|p=49}} Time bonuses were awarded at the end of every stage apart from the two individual time trials.{{sfn|Race regulations|2017|p=47}} The rider with the lowest cumulative time was the leader of the general classification,{{sfn|Race regulations|2017|p=49}} and wears the red jersey.{{sfn|Race regulations|2017|p=50}} The leader of the general classification at the end of the race was considered the overall winner of the Vuelta a España.{{sfn|Race regulations|2017|p=49}}

The second classification was the points classification. Riders received points for finishing among the highest placed in a stage finish, or in intermediate sprints during the stage. The points available for each stage finish were determined by the stage's type.{{sfn|Race regulations|2017|p=49}} The leader was identified by a green jersey.{{sfn|Race regulations|2017|p=50}}

The next classification was the mountains classification. Points were awarded to the riders that reached the summit of the most difficult climbs first. The climbs were categorized, in order of increasing difficulty, third-, second-, and first- and special-category.{{sfn|Race regulations|2017|p=49–50}} The leader wore a white jersey with blue polka dots.{{sfn|Race regulations|2017|p=50}}

The final of the individual classifications was the combination classification. A rider's ranking in the combination classification was determined by tallying up his positions in the general, points, and mountains classifications. The leader wore a white jersey. If no rider was classified in all three classifications, riders classified in two would have been considered, and if that was tied the general classification will decide the winner.{{sfn|Race regulations|2017|p=50}}

There was also the team classification. After each stage, the times of the three highest finishers of each team are added together. The victory was awarded to the team with the lowest cumulative time at the end of the event.{{sfn|Race regulations|2017|p=50}}

In addition, there were two individual awards: the combativity award and the young rider award. The combativity award was given after each stage to the rider "who displayed the most generous

effort and best sporting spirit." The daily winner wore a green number bib the following stage. At the end of the Vuelta, a jury decides the top three riders for the "Most Combative Rider of

La Vuelta", with a public vote deciding the victor. The young rider award is calculated the same way as the general classification, but the classification was restricted to riders who were born on or after 1 January 1992. The leader wore a red number bib.{{sfn|Race regulations|2017|p=50}}

A total of €1,120,230 will be awarded in cash prizes in the race. The overall winner of the general classification will receive €150,000, with the second and third placed riders getting €57,000 and €30,000 respectively. All finishers in the top 20 were awarded with money. The holders of the four individual classifications benefited on each stage they led. The final winners of the points and combined were given €11,000, while the mountains classification got €23,100 and the most combative rider got €3,000. The team classification winners were given €12,500. €11,000 was given to the winners of each stage of the race, with smaller amounts given to places 2–20.{{sfn|Race regulations|2017|p=51}} There was also a special award with a prize of €1,000, the Cima Alberto Fernández, given to first rider (Miguel Ángel López) to reach the summit of the Alto Hoya de la Mora at the finish of stage fifteen.{{sfn|Race regulations|2017|p=49}}{{sfn|Race regulations|2017|p=51}}{{cite news|last=Westemeyer|first=Susan|title=Vuelta a España: Lopez climbs to victory on stage 15|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/vuelta-a-espana-2017/stage-15/results/|access-date=8 September 2017|website=Cyclingnews.com|date=3 September 2017}}

File:Podio de la Vuelta Ciclista a España 2017.jpg

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The race was the 25th of the 38 events in the UCI World Tour,{{cite web|title=2017 UCI WorldTour|url=http://www.uci.ch/road/ucievents/2017-road-uci-worldtour/360432017/|access-date=17 October 2017|work=Union Cycliste Internationale}} with riders from the WorldTeams competing for individually and for their teams for points that contributed towards the rankings. Riders from both the WorldTeams and Professional Continental teams also competed individually and for their nations for points that contributed towards the UCI World Ranking, which included all UCI races.{{cite news|last=Wynn|first=Nigel|title=UCI announces complete overhaul of WorldTour points system|url=http://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/racing/uci-announces-complete-overhaul-of-worldtour-points-system-304959|access-date=17 October 2017|work=Cycling Weekly|date=22 December 2016}} The points accrued by Chris Froome moved him up to second from tenth in the World Tour and rose to third from sixth in the World Ranking. Greg Van Avermaet ({{UCI team code|BMC|2016|nolink=yes}}) held the lead of both individual rankings. {{UCI team code|SKY|2016|nolink=yes}} took the lead of the World Tour team ranking and Belgium remained top of the World Ranking nation ranking.

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On 13 December 2017, it was announced by Team Sky that Chris Froome was found with 2000 ng/ml of Salbutamol in a sample collected on 7 September, after the finish of stage 18. Froome, who suffers from asthma, is allowed a dose of 1000 ng/ml. If the UCI had found this to be a doping violation, he could have lost his Vuelta title and faced a potential ban from competitive cycling.{{Cite news|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/timeline-of-chris-froomes-adverse-analytical-finding-for-salbutamol/|title=Timeline of Chris Froome's adverse analytical finding for salbutamol {{!}} Cyclingnews.com|work=Cyclingnews.com|access-date=23 January 2018}} On 2 July 2018, the UCI, with the cooperation of WADA, ruled that upon review of the submitted evidence that there was no wrongdoing and closed the case, exonerating Froome and allowing his 2017 Vuelta win to stand.{{cite web|url=http://www.uci.org/pressreleases/uci-statement-anti-doping-proceedings-involving-christopher-froome/|title=UCI statement on anti-doping proceedings involving Mr Christopher Froome|website=www.uci.org|access-date=5 July 2018}}

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• 2017 in men's road cycling
• 2017 in sports

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• {{cite book|title=Race regulations|url=http://netstorage.lequipe.fr/ASO/cyclisme/la-vuelta/2017/reglements/V17-Rules-en-v3.pdf|work=Vuelta a España|location=Madrid|publisher=Unipublic|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170829193232/http://netstorage.lequipe.fr/ASO/cyclisme/la-vuelta/2017/reglements/V17-Rules-en-v3.pdf|archive-date=29 August 2017|url-status=live|access-date=29 August 2017|year=2017|ref={{harvid|Race regulations|2017}}}}

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{{commons category|Vuelta a España 2017|2017 Vuelta a España}}

• {{Official website|http://www.lavuelta.com/la-vuelta/2017/us/}}

{{2017 UCI World Tour}}

{{Vuelta a España}}

{{Cycling stage recaps|2017 Vuelta a España|1|11|12|21}}

{{Vuelta a España general classification winners}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Vuelta a Espana, 2017}}

Category:2017 in Andorran sport

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Category:2017 UCI World Tour

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2017