The Vuelta a Espana may, in some eyes, still be in the shadows of the other two Grand Tours, but it can still provide unmissable drama, and 2013 was no different.
Even when Chris Horner (Radioshack-Trek) became the oldest man to win a Grand Tour stage, nobody could have predicted what was to follow for the veteran American.
His epic battle with Giro d’Italia winner, Vincenzo Nibali (Astana), for the red jersey captivated the cycling world, and when Horner emerged from the mist atop the Angliru having finally dropped the Italian, he powered his way into the history books.
Horner, naturally, took the biggest plaudits as he became the oldest Grand Tour winner aged 41, but the Vuelta also saw a number of other significant triumphs.
Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha), who would go on to top the world rankings, earned a well-deserved first Grand Tour stage victory of the year with a stunning ride up the Alto Naranco, while Fabian Cancellara (Radioshack-Trek) fired a warning shot ahead of the World Championships by winning the individual time trial.
The four-time world time trial champion was not the only ‘tester’ laying down a marker for the race of truth in Florence. Sir Bradley Wiggins showed his gathering form with a stunning individual time trial in Knowsley during the Tour of Britain.
After a frustrating year for the 2012 Tour de France champion, Wiggins roared back to his best and went on to claim the overall title, while fellow Brits Mark Cavendish – who won three stages – and Simon Yates , who won stage six on his way to second place overall and the white jersey, also had cause to celebrate.
Wiggins and Cancellara’s form was no deterrent to Tony Martin when it mattered in Florence, however – the German proved he is simply unstoppable against the clock when at his best.
Wiggo and Spartacus could only battle for silver as three of the finest time triallists of their generation went head-to-head, with Martin securing a third consecutive gold medal as Sir Brad claimed silver.
Also celebrating at the World Championships were women’s time trial champion Ellen Van Dijk, while Rui Costa was crowned men’s champion to become the first ever Portuguese man to win the rainbow stripes on the road.
Marianne Vos meanwhile cemented her place as a legend of women’s cycling with yet another world championship success.
A busy month at professional level was also reflected lower down the pecking order too, with the last days of summer also seeing expos aplenty, including Eurobike, The Cycle Show and the inaugural Yorkshire Bike Show.
The latter, which showcased the best hand-made bicycles from the white rose county and beyond was a source of particular excitement and further evidence of the rise of cycling in Britain.
Feather Cycles, Brother Cycles, Tokyo Fixed and Baldwin Titanium were all among the exhibitors on show as Yorkshire prepared to take cycling’s centre-stage in 2014.
