Updated August 30, 2025 02:13PM
‘When I Heard Philipsen Scream I Know I Can’t Close This Door’: Viviani Relegated at Vuelta a España
Elia Viviani loses second place on stage 8 of the Vuelta, explains his actions in a social media post
Elia Viviani finished second on stage 8 of the Vuelta a España but was then relegated (Photo: Dario Belingheri/Getty Images)
He last won a stage of a grand tour back in 2019 and last competed in a three week race in 2021. Elia Viviani went close to taking his biggest win in years on Sunday, crossing the line in second place, but ended up with nothing to show for it.
The Italian Lotto rider was relegated to 105th after stage 9, with the race jury ruling that he did not hold his line in the final sprint.
Guided into place by his team in the finale, Viviani was in a commanding position in that gallop. He appeared to be well on course for the victory until Jasper Philipsen began overtaking him on the left hand side. Viviani then started drifting in that direction and went close to squeezing the Belgian rider against the barrier.
He did leave a small gap and this was enough for Philipsen to power through and to take the stage.
Perhaps sensing that the jury may have an issue with his change in direction, Viviani appeared to be justifying his actions when speaking shortly after the stage end.
“When I go, I just go. I go to the line. I hear a screaming Philipsen on the barriers so I don’t have any idea to close him,” he said. “It is not like this I won races.”
The jury decision was announced at a later point. Viviani has since addressed that demotion on social media.
Chasing a contract
Writing in a question and answers-style format, the veteran rider gave his perspective on what had happened.
About today: I change my line? Yes I do.
Why? Because as a sprinter when you are leading out you always search one side.
Why I don’t chose the left side on the barriers at the start of my sprint? Because in front of me I have De Buyst, my teammate, and I know he will let the door open but I cannot predict what Alpecin lead out guy do, so I decide to go in the middle of the road.
At the end I let the door open on the left? Yes, when I heard Philipsen scream I know I can’t close this door, so he pass me clearly.
Have you talk with the jury? Yes I had a talk with the jury president and he show to me on the video what did I do and he explained to me I cannot change my line even if at the end I let the space to him to pass.
Are you sorry? Yes I’m sorry for my team @Lotto.cyclingteam and my teammates because they deserve a better result, today they were incredible!
Also relegated was Bryan Coquard (Cofidis), who also changed course in the sprint. He had crossed the line in sixth place.
Viviani’s team is fighting to return to the WorldTour but currently sits 23rd in the rankings. The pressure is on riders to get strong results. However the team is linked to a merger with Intermarché-Wanty, which should make the push for WorldTour a more straightforward matter.
That will be of little consolation to Viviani, who has a contract for this season only.
He won’t be happy to lose his second place, but was already looking ahead to other chances prior to the news of his relegation.
“It was a close call,” he said.
“Hopefully the last week we can still do some sprints. I just need to be positive and look at what the team has done, because I can’t ask for more.”
