In the final 115km stage of La Vuelta a Espana, the peloton celebrated a hard three weeks of racing, and the final grand tour of the 2012 season, before getting down to business on the sprint finish of the 10 lap circuit.
A six rider breakaway was brought back with more than enough time for leadout trains to set up their riders for victory. Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team had two riders in position going into the final meters: Gert Steegmans and Zdenek Stybar. They managed 7th and 8th for the 21st stage of La Vuelta.
John Degenkolb (Argos-Shimano) took advantage of a superb leadout, winning the stage. Elia Viviani (Liquigas-Cannondale) was 2nd, Daniele Bennati (Radioshack-Nissan) 3rd.
Alberto Contador (Saxo Bank - Tinkoff bank) won the overall.