Torstein Træen has successfully defended the leader’s jersey after his first day in red, completing Stage 7 of La Vuelta a España, which took the race from Andorra to Cerler over the most mountainous course of this year’s edition.
The 188 km stage featured over 4,400 metres of elevation gain across four categorized climbs, presenting a challenging test for Team Bahrain Victorious, tasked with protecting La Roja while also supporting the squad’s other GC contenders.
Vuelta a Espana 2025 – 80th Edition – 7th stage Andorra La Vella – Cerler. Huesca La Magia 188 km – 29/08/2025 – Jay Vine (AUS – UAE Team Emirates – XRG) – Torstein Traeen (NOR – Bahrain – Victorious) – Mads Pedersen (DNK – Lidl – Trek) – photo Luis Angel Gomez/SprintCyclingAgency©2025
As on the previous day, the stage was shaped by a breakaway that proved decisive. Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates – XRG) launched the first attack on the Port del Cantó, later joined by 11 riders. TBV took responsibility in the peloton, working to keep the gap under control over the Puerto de la Creu de Perves and the Coll de l’Espina, before the decisive final 12 km ascent to Cerler – Huesca la Magia.
On the last climb, Ayuso made his winning move with about 10 km to go, securing a solo victory ahead of Frigo (IPT) and Perna (Arkéa–B&B Hotels). The GC group, including Træen in red, crossed the line 2’35” later, ensuring that the Norwegian would keep the leader’s jersey for another day.
Træen admitted it was a nerve-wracking but emotional experience defending La Roja:
“Today’s stage was quite emotional for me because I really felt the pressure after seeing how much work my teammates did to keep me in position to defend the jersey. At one point I was really nervous, because I didn’t feel so good, but on the last climb I managed it well. Jack rode super, super good, closing big gaps and big groups. Finlay was excellent too on the climbs, Santi helped me a lot, and then obviously Roman, Mathijs and Nicolò were riding like motorbikes when they came back. I’m really proud to have teammates like these.”
Vuelta a Espana 2025 – 80th Edition – 7th stage Andorra La Vella – Cerler. Huesca La Magia 188 km – 29/08/2025 – Torstein Traeen (NOR – Bahrain – Victorious) – photo Luis Angel Gomez/SprintCyclingAgency©2025
Torstein Træen will start Stage 8 still leading the General Classification with a 2’33” advantage over Jonas Vingegaard (Visma | Lease a Bike) and 2’41” over João Almeida (UAE Team Emirates). With tomorrow’s stage designed for the sprinters, the Norwegian climber looks set to defend the red jersey for at least another day.
Vuelta a Espana 2025 – 80th Edition – 7th stage Andorra La Vella – Cerler. Huesca La Magia 188 km – 29/08/2025 – Torstein Traeen (NOR – Bahrain – Victorious) – photo Rafa Gomez/SprintCyclingAgency©2025