2013 Vuelta a España stage 21: Matthews takes a brace of sprints, Horner wins his first Grand Tour

Forty-one-year old Chris Horner (RadioShack) became the first American to win a Vuelta a España and the oldest cyclist to claim a Grand Tour, eclipsing Belgian Firmin Lambot’s mark of winning the 1922 Tour of France at the age of 36. Horner finished safely in the field as Michael Matthews (Australia/Orica-GreenEdge) took his second triumph of the Vuelta, adding the win in Madrid to his stage 5 victory.

The 109.6-kilometre stage from Leganes to Madrid was mostly a parade with no attacks. Horner’s team led the procession into Madrid for the peloton to ride eight laps of 5.7-kilometres, and then Euskatel, in the last year of its “Basque carrot” incarnation, took over.

Immediately Javier Aramendia (Spain/Caja Rural) went on the attack to ensure that his serial escapes led to being awarded the race’s most combative award. Soon Aramendia was joined by Alessandro Vanotti (Italy/Astana) and the intrepid duo hung out in front until the final lap.

Orica-GreenEdge, Garmin-Sharp and Argos-Shimano all battled at the front, but it was Matthews who crossed the line before Tyler Farrar (USA/Garmin) and Niklas Arndt (Germany/Argos).

Horner, clad entirely in red, raised his arms as he rolled in with the peloton, having reached the pinnacle of his career one month shy of 42.

2013 Vuelta a España stage 21
1) Michael Matthews (Australia/Orica-GreenEdge) 2:44
2) Tyler Farrar (USA/Garmin-Sharp) s.t.
3) Niklas Arndt (Germany/Argos-Shimano) s.t.
131) Christian Meier (Canada/Orica-GreenEdge) +1:04

2013 Vuelta a España Final GC
1) Chris Horner (USA/RadioShack) 84:36:04
2) Vincenzo Nibali (Italy/Astana) +0:37
3) Alejandro Valverde (Spain/Movistar) +1:36
82) Christian Meier (Canada/Orica-GreenEdge) +2:53:42