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The 21 best photos from the Vuelta a España 2024
The Vuelta a España 2024 concluded yesterday in Madrid with a final time-trial around the Spanish capital. With it, the Grand Tour season comes to a close for 2024. This year, it has been a clean sweep for Slovenia in the three-weekers after Primož Roglič claimed a record-equalling fourth Vuelta victory. The former ski jumper finished ahead of Ben O’Connor and Enric Mas in the final standings.
To recap, the race began in Portugal just under a month ago with Brandon McNulty wearing the first red jersey of the 2024 edition. From there, Wout van Aert and Roglič respectively took up the honours of race leader before O’Connor set up a seismic reshuffle in the GC after winning Stage 6 from the breakaway and gaining six and a half minutes on the race favourites. The Australian wore the red jersey for two weeks, but Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe’s Roglič ultimately proved all too strong in the mountains.
Photographer Chris Auld was on the ground in Spain shooting all things Vuelta. Before the post-Grand Tour blues kick in, let’s take a look at some of his snaps and relive an enthralling Vuelta filled with unexpected twists and turns.
After a consistent opening set of stages in Portugal, Wout had the red jersey in his crosshairs.
A pensive Roglič ahead of Stage 4 to Pico Villeurcas, a stage he would end up winning.
Laurens De Plus demonstrates the invisible ice cream trick.
A quick outfit change and Roglič is back for more. He’s more than familiar with the red jersey by now.
‘Yes, madam. Primoz Roglič is in aisle 4 right by the checkouts.’
Roglič looked well on track for overall success, and was well marshalled by his teammates. However, Stage 6 saw the chaos set in.
First mountain stage in the red jersey for Ben O’Connor, seen here on Stage 8. Custom red forks, pedals, wheel decals and helmet – chapeau.
Roglič and Enric Mas renewed their duel from 2021. They clashed a number of times in the mountains.
Kevin Geniets, the Luxembourger champion, leads Thomas De Gendt over a climb on Stage 9. De Gendt completed his 500th career Grand Tour stage at this year’s Vuelta.
Who knew Spain would be hot during August?
There were none hotter than Adam Yates on Stage 9. He took stage honours and a brief stint in the polka dot jersey.
Thymen Arensman was a real victim of sunstroke during the blistering heat of Stages 8 and 9. He later abandoned the race.
A rare bit of shade for the peloton.
Just Wout van Aert doing Wout van Aert things.
Landismo was alive and (somewhat) kicking during the Vuelta.
The man of the Vuelta (sorry, Primož) had to be Pablo Castrillo. He went on to win this foggy finish to Cuitu Negru on Stage 15.
The calm before the typical Covadonga storm.
The Basque fans really know how to welcome a bike race.
Roglič back in red, in his element.
Among the tifosi on Picón Blanco, the final mountain of the 2024 Vuelta.
‘I’m not a time-trial specialist,’ said Roglič before Stage 21’s race against the clock. I’m not quite sure if I agree with that statement.
We’ve come a long way from La Planche des Belles Filles in 2020.
This is what it’s all about. Roglič is joined on the podium by teammates and staff at Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe, the team he moved to just nine months ago.
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