Saturday’s Stage 8 ended in a whirlwind, with the speedsters fighting for position in the final hundred meters. No matter how many sprint finishes I watch, I never get used to the chaos: riders bumping shoulders, weaving left and right, sometimes inching dangerously close to the barriers. I’m always perched on the edge of my seat, wishing safe passage to all.

No crashes today, I’m happy to report. But it was a thriller, all the way to the line! Jasper Philipsen took a seemingly impossible path to victory, edging along the sidelines to eclipse Ethan Vernon (Team Israel Premier Tech) and Arne Marit (Team Intermarché-Wanty) at the end. Mads Pedersen finished ninth, doing just enough to keep the green jersey on his back.

Team Bahrain-Victorious retained the overall leader’s red jersey, and it was great to see Torstein Traeen basking in the glory atop the podium. Don’t we all want to see him in red for a few more days?

About Stage 9: Alfaro to Valdezcaray Ski Station (195 kms; bumpy, with a Cat 1 climb to the finish)

As you can see in the profile map, Sunday will be a long slog for the peloton, ending in a brutal climb to the finish. Depending on the strategy of Team Visma and GC favorite Jonas Vingegaard, Team Bahrain-Victorious may, if they’re willing to suffer, keep the red jersey through the rest day. However, after Monday’s break in Pamplona, we have five straight days in the mountains. All the GC aspirants will need to bring their A-games!

Vuelta Vaso de Vino Recommendation: 2024 La Osa Prieto Picudo Rose “Trasto” ($17; 13.5% abv)

Winemaker Noelia de Paz champions grape varieties native to the Tierra de León DO, many of which are grown nowhere else. This wine is made from Prieto Picudo, genetically related to Portugal’s Alfrocheiro and sharing the same bright cherry color, pronounced aromatics (berry/cherry; black pepper), high acidity and tannins.

Trasto refers to a slang word for rascal or nuisance, which Noelia’s mother used to call her when she was naughty. I wouldn’t call this wine naughty, but I would call it fresh and sassy – a rascal I’d like to hang out with!

Tasting Note

Bright coral pink, with a highly aromatic nose (cherry, raspberry, blackberry, ripe peach, pink grapefruit). On the palate there’s more of the same plus wild strawberry, apricot, grilled pineapple, and rhubarb. A touch of tannin, tangy acidity, and a long finish with a hint of savory bitterness that’s a nice complement to the fruit.

Pairing

Absolutely delish with herb and lemon roasted salmon over romaine. Now that I’ve tasted this wine, I’d be more deliberate with my pairing the next time: I’m picturing grilled rainbow trout topped with mild horseradish cream, served alongside beautiful suprêmes of Florida ruby grapefruit. Can’t you just taste it?

Enjoy Sunday’s festivities and the rest day on Monday. Be back in a couple of days with a preview of Stage 10 and another Vuelta Vaso de Vino selection!