Overview of Penalties and Incidents in the Vuelta a España 2025
The Vuelta a España is known for its high-stakes racing, intense competition, and unpredictable moments. While the race is filled with excitement, it also comes with strict rules that all participants must follow. When these rules are broken, penalties can be issued, ranging from fines to time deductions. Below is a detailed look at some of the notable incidents and penalties throughout the early stages of the 2025 edition.
Stage 15: Vegadeo – Monforte de Lemos (167.8 km)
This stage saw minimal official action, except for an unusual situation involving Magnus Sheffield of INEOS Grenadiers. Despite crashing in the final corner, Sheffield was awarded the same finishing time as stage winner Mads Pedersen. This was considered a symbolic gesture since Sheffield wasn’t targeting the general classification. No other penalties were reported during this stage.
Stage 14: Aviles – La Farrapona (134.6 km)
Johannes Staune-Mittet of Decathlon AG2R faced a significant penalty after taking food during the final phase of the stage. He was fined 500 Swiss francs, while his sports director, Julien Jurdie, received an additional 1,000 Swiss francs. Staune-Mittet also incurred a 20-second time penalty and lost five points in both the mountain and points classifications.
Stage 13: Cabezón de la Sal – L’Angliru (202.7 km)
On the challenging L’Angliru climb, only sports directors were penalized. Jeroen Blijlevens (Lidl-Trek), Dries Devenyns (Soudal-Quick Step), and Oliver Cookson (INEOS Grenadiers) each received a 200 Swiss franc fine for not following instructions. Additionally, a journalist was banned from attending stages 14 and 15 due to alleged filming on the road in the last two kilometers of the previous stage.
Stage 12: Laredo – Los Corrales de Buelna (144.9 km)
Stefano Zanini, the sports director of XDS-Astana, was penalized for interfering with the peloton by providing bidons and food. His actions caused a delay in the convoy of cars behind him, resulting in a yellow card and a 500 Swiss franc fine.
Stage 11: Bilbao – Bilbao (157.4 km)
No official reports or penalties were issued for this stage.
Stage 10: Sendaviva Nature Park – El Ferial Larra Belagua (175.3 km)
The peloton maintained good behavior during this stage, with no incidents reported.
Stage 9: Alfaro – Estación de Esquí de Valdezcaray (195.5 km)
Victor Campenaerts and Oscar Riesebeek were both fined 200 Swiss francs for taking a toilet break in an unauthorized area. A member of the Alpecin-Deceuninck team, Hugo Leonardo, was also penalized for being incorrectly positioned during the feed zone, receiving a yellow card and a 200 Swiss franc fine.
Stage 8: Monzón Templario – Zaragoza (163.5 km)
Elia Viviani and Bryan Coquard were relegated after the finish line due to deviating too far from their lanes during the sprint. Both riders received a yellow card, a 500 Swiss franc fine, and a deduction of eight points in the points classification. A TV motorbike operator was also issued a yellow card for a dangerous overtaking maneuver.
Stage 7: Andorra la Vella – Cerler. Huesca La Magia (188 km)
Lorenzo Fortunato of XDS Astana was fined 200 Swiss francs for not using safety pins to attach his race number. His sports director, Alexandr Shefer, was fined 100 Swiss francs. Several sports directors were also penalized for incorrect positioning at a feed zone, including Higinio Fernández (Movistar) and Emanuel Di Zio (Israel-Premier Tech), who each received a 200 Swiss franc fine and a yellow card. Steven De Neef of Intermarché-Wanty was fined 1,000 Swiss francs for ‘invalid assistance.’
Stage 6: Olot – Pal. Andorra (170.3 km)
A Cofidis staff member, Raul Matias, was suspended for three days and fined 500 Swiss francs for driving the wrong way during support duties.
Stage 5: Figueres – Figueres (24.1 km, team time trial)
Five riders from Arkéa – B&B Hotels, INEOS Grenadiers, and Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale were fined 200 Swiss francs each for issues with their race numbers. Their sports directors were also penalized. Arkéa’s Mickael Laveau was fined 300 Swiss francs for three riders. Israel-Premier Tech was given a 15-second bonus after being obstructed by demonstrators during the team time trial.
Stage 4: Susa – Voiron (207.0 km)
No penalties were issued for this stage, as the peloton behaved well.
Stage 3: San Maurizio Canavese – Ceres (134.0 km)
Jayco AlUla faced penalties when Eddie Dunbar was fined 200 Swiss francs for holding onto a bottle too long, and his team director, Stephen Cummings, received a 500 Swiss franc fine.
Stage 2: Alba – Limone Piemonte (159.5 km)
Twelve riders were fined 200 Swiss francs each for modifying their race numbers. Their team directors were also penalized with 100 Swiss francs each.
Stage 1: Turin – Novara (186.7 km)
The opening stage was relatively calm, with few incidents. The only action was a warning given to Hugo de la Calle for an illegal hand position. No penalties were issued.
