There's something oddly brilliant about professional cyclists sitting on a donkey
Sit back and enjoy a bizarre selection of photos from the Vuelta a España by Yuzuru Sunada
We've all been thinking it, waiting, wondering, longing. When, oh when were we finally going to get the opportunity to see professional cyclists posing on a decorated (and decidedly miserable) donkey?
Well the wait is finally over, as the Vuelta a España organisers set about rectifying this at the start of stage three in Mijas on Monday. Ever wanted to see Sammy Sanchez sit on a glammed up equine while simultaneously being hugged by a man dressed up in an orange donkey suit? Here's your chance.
>>> Twitter reacts to Vincenzo Nibali’s Vuelta a España disqualification
Imagine if the Premier League made Wayne Rooney pose with a overly decorated cow outside Old Trafford before the start of a game. It just wouldn't happen. Which pretty much sums-up the eccentric brilliance you definitely should love about this sport.
And finally...
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Follow on Twitter: @richwindy
Richard is digital editor of Cycling Weekly. Joining the team in 2013, Richard became editor of the website in 2014 and coordinates site content and strategy, leading the news team in coverage of the world's biggest races and working with the tech editor to deliver comprehensive buying guides, reviews, and the latest product news.
An occasional racer, Richard spends most of his time preparing for long-distance touring rides these days, or getting out to the Surrey Hills on the weekend on his Specialized Tarmac SL6 (with an obligatory pub stop of course).
-
Your verdict on the Vuelta a España: Brilliant, perfect, better than the Tour de France
We asked Cycling Weekly readers what they thought about this year's Vuelta a España, and were surprised by the response
By Nigel Wynn Published
-
Dumoulin power data reveals true story of Vuelta a España ride
Dutch rider says he has "no good reason" not to share his data from the Vuelta a España publicly
By Gregor Brown Published
-
Police recover stolen £9,000 Vuelta a España bike, being sold for £90
Police return stolen Scott Foil to Orica-GreenEdge team after spotting it on sale in a shop in Malaga for just €120
By Stuart Clarke Published
-
Fabio Aru wins 2015 Vuelta a España as Degenkolb takes final stage in Madrid
Fabio Aru finished the final stage of the Vuelta a España safely to seal his maiden Grand Tour win as John Degenkolb took the stage
By Stuart Clarke Published
-
Dumoulin's Vuelta performance has the Dutch dreaming of Tour de France glory
Tom Dumoulin was the surprise leader of the Vuelta a España after 19 stages, leading the Dutch fans to start dreaming of their first Grand Tour winner since 1980
By Gregor Brown Published
-
Tom Dumoulin deeply disappointed with Vuelta a España loss
Despite winning two stages and his time in the Vuelta a España lead, Dutchman Tom Dumoulin says he only feels disappointment
By Gregor Brown Published
-
Fabio Aru's 'never give up' spirit wins the Vuelta a España
Fabio Aru explains how team-work on the penultimate stage of the Vuelta a España netted him the lead
By Gregor Brown Published
-
Fabio Aru snatches Vuelta a España lead in thrilling mountain showdown
Fabio Aru and his Astana team made sure that Tom Dumoulin cracked on the final mountain stage of the 2015 Vuelta a España
By Nigel Wynn Published