Vingegaard Secures Vuelta Overall Lead After Stage Wins, Crash Recovery

Jonas Vingegaard, the two-time Tour de France champion, has emerged as the early favorite in the 2025 Vuelta a España by winning stage 2 and claiming the leader's red jersey despite a heavy crash during the race. Vingegaard overcame a fall caused by slippery conditions about 26-35 km from the finish, then launched a late sprint on a steep climb to narrowly beat Giulio Ciccone by less than half a tire's width in Limone Piemonte, Italy. His Visma-Lease a Bike team supported him strongly, demonstrating control in the final climb and positioning him well for upcoming stages, including the team time trial. David Gaudu claimed victory on stage 3, taking advantage of a sharp finale, while Vingegaard maintained his overall lead and green points jersey. Despite a minor injury from his crash, Vingegaard expressed satisfaction with his form, the team's performance, and his new position as the rider to beat in the race. The standings remain tight, with Ciccone just four seconds behind and many riders within 25 seconds, signaling a competitive battle ahead.