Groves in Green
at La Vuelta

From Lisbon to Madrid, this year’s Vuelta a España was a thriller. Kaden Groves from team Alpecin-Deceuninck won the green points jersey at La Vuelta, marking his second consecutive victory in this category. The Australian sprinter secured three stage wins during the Spanish Grand Tour. With 15 stages won on DURA-ACE R9200, let’s look at the Alpecin-Deceuninck bikes and the beautiful photography from one of the most challenging cycling races in the world.

After Wednesday’s challenging and rainy stage to Santander, no more sprint opportunities were left for Groves and the other fast riders. The stage was marked by heavy rain in Cantabria, and a four-man breakaway tried to outsmart the leading group but was caught just before the finish line in Santander.

Groves, a favorite in sprint finishes, claimed his third stage win in Santander, adding to his earlier victories in stage 2 in Ourem and stage 17. His final challenge in the 2024 Vuelta was to reach Madrid wearing the green jersey.

Huge congratulations to Kaden and his team from all of us at Shimano!

Groves and his teammates at Alpecin-Deceuninck ride Canyon’s Aeroad CFR.

• Groupset: DURA-ACE R9200 12-speed Disc Brake Di2
• Front chainring: 54/40T
• Cassette: 11-30
• Wheels: WH-R9270-C50-TL
• Front rotor: RT-CL900-SS (140mm)
• Rear rotor: RT-CL900-SS (140mm)
• Pedals: PD-R9100

Professional cycling is a year-round pursuit. Not just for the athletes. The organization around each race is filled with dedicated people, ensuring each race and stage is well-prepared, safe, and fair. The mechanics and riders of Shimano Neutral Service play a key role in providing fundamental service at more than 560 race days every year. The stellar mechanics from the Neutral Service team deliver a WorldTour-worthy performance each race day, fueled by a fair mix of adrenaline, technical savvy and a sincere love of the sport.

The advent of DURA-ACE continues to make its mark on the WorldTour, empowering and supporting talented riders on their way to Find THEIR Fast on the road. Its innovative design and superior performance inspire us all to push our limits and strive for excellence.

The spirit of cycling is known for its share of drama, dedication, and… derailleurs. Yet, when we think of the cycling world today, we see the smiling faces of riders, mechanics, and fans sharing these life-defining moments. To draw a line from each inspired rider, young and old, to the moment Shozaburo Shimano opened the doors of Shimano Iron Works in Sakai in 1921 is simply extraordinary.