Sep 20, 2009
Last stage: Rivas - Madrid, 110.2km

Madrid was the host of the last stage of Vuelta 2009. The last winner was decided by a sprint finish. André Greipel (Columbia-HTC) scored his fourth win in the last three weeks. Slovenian rider Borut Božič (Vacansoleil) was third. Tadej was 57th. The overall winner is Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne).

The closing part of the stage was marked by the escape of six riders, Jesús Rosendo (Andalucía-Cajasur), Manuel Váquez (Contentpolis-Ampo), Rémy Di Gregorio (Française des Jeux), Mickaël Delage (Silence-Lotto), Dominik Roels (Milram) and David Garcia (Xacobeo Galicia), but they were caught at the start of the final circuit.

In the sprint, Greipel outsmarted Daniel Bennati (Liquigas) and Božič. Valverde achieved his first win in one of the 3-week races. Samuel Sánchez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) is second, Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto) third. Tadej finishes in 30th place (+53:40).

I entered Vuelta well prepared. After a promising start I got ill. In a position I couldn't control, I didn't receive the support of my team. This hurts me. Physically I'm getting better but I'm still down mentally. I will try to forget this Vuelta as quickly as I can. Hopefully I will manage to bounce back by the time of the world championships.