“Attention now turns to the decisive individual time trial in Valladolid, which could reshape the standings.”
Giulio Pellizzari claimed his first professional victory in Stage 17 of the Vuelta a España. He conquered the tough climb of Alto de El Morredero with a strong, decisive attack. The 21-year-old Italian surged 3.5 km from the summit and crossed the finish line 16 seconds ahead of Britain’s Tom Pidcock. Australia’s Jai Hindley finished third, completing an impressive podium.
The win boosted Pellizzari’s lead in the white jersey competition for the best young rider. Race leader Jonas Vingegaard retained his overall lead by finishing fourth. Pidcock’s second-place finish kept him in contention for a podium spot and strengthened his confidence for the remaining stages.
The stage featured thrilling tactics, with riders challenging each other on steep climbs and technical descents. Fans and teams watched closely as every move could impact the general classification. With only a 27.2 km individual time trial left, the standings remain tightly contested. Riders now focus on the Valladolid time trial, which could prove decisive for the final Vuelta rankings.