Traditionally, the final stage of a Grand Tour is for the sprinters. No one attacks the race leader; it is assumed that he has earned his position and shouldn’t be forced to ride hard on the final stage, usually into the host nation’s capital city. The final stage often decides the sprinters’ jersey, but never decides the race leader’s jersey.
So it was in Stage 21 of the 2011 Vuelta a España: Juan Jose Cobo wore the red jersey into Madrid, his 13-second lead over Sky’s Chris Froome not challenged. It was the first Grand Tour General Classification victory for the Geox rider, who had seriously considered retiring earlier in the season.
“I’m thrilled, this is the greatest day in my career,” Cobo said on the team website. “It’s a dream come true. I still can’t believe this victory and the fantastic feat that me and my team managed to accomplish.
“I came to the Vuelta knowing that I was in good shape and that I could ride a good race, with the desire to help my team, but I never thought that I would end up here in Madrid in the red jersey on the highest step on the podium.
“The team was phenomenal; we raced united and compact every day,” Cobo concluded.
Cobo has won three Grand Tour stages: Stage 10 of the 2008 Tour de France, Stage 19 of the 2009 Vuelta, and Stage 15 this year.
