Hola and welcome to live coverage of the final stage of the Vuelta a Espana - a 117.6km pan-flat ride from Arroyomolinos to Madrid, a largely processional affair which concludes with some competitive laps in the Spanish capital ahead of a final bunch sprint for spoils ahead of Chris Froome's crowning.

The pace is beginning to increase a little as the Madrid skyline approaches on the horizon. As a result, the peloton is all strung out - with Team Sky and then Bahrain Merida setting the tempo.

The hijinx continue. But I'm not sure about you - if I were in red, and the team of the man who was runner-up offered me a coffee on the final day, I'd probably politely decline. Who knows what mysterious substance could be in it...?!

One jersey that has not been decided is the green jersey - which could still yet be won by Matteo Trentin should he win today's stage and net 25 points after finishing at least third in the intermediate sprint, to add the final point he would need to tie Froome's tally of 153 points. In between, Vincenzo Nibali has 128 points but - like Froome - he will probably not add any points today. Whereas Trentin already has three stage wins and is probably the best sprinter in the pack...

You know we mentioned the "Un ano mas" song that Contador's team-mates sang earlier? Well, here it is...

Meanwhile, in the race - which isn't actually a race, or at least won't be until we start those circuits in Madrid - the peloton plods along with Team Sky still on the front, goofing around. It's a relaxed atmosphere and everyone is all smiles - except most of the world's media covering the event, who now won't be home in time for dinner.

While we're at it - and while they're riding so slowly - here's a video about how Froome turned three runner-up positions in the Vuelta into a win and a historic double.

Talking of Contador, here's a career retrospective video on the swashbuckling Spaniard. With the pace so slow at the moment, we'll have time to watch all these highlights - and some - before the finish.

Meanwhile, Markel Irizar and Edward Theuns seranade their Trek-Segafredo captain Contador with the "Un ano mas" song - imploring the Spaniard to ride on for another year before retirement. That was the original plan, until his disappointing Tour. It will be interesting to see what happens next - will Bertie be involved at all with Trek, will he have a change of heart and return to the fold, or will he pile on the pounds while out of the saddle?

It doesn't look like him, but that is Contador with a glass of back-washed Cava. He's in the white combined jersey even through he's tied for points with Miguel Angel Lopez, but behind Froome - who can only wear the red jersey today.

Here's a video of those early beer-swigging exploits from Sky...

What do they say, beer then wine, you're fine, but wine then beer, oh dear?

They've been riding for about 25 minutes now and they've only completed 10km. Until they get into Madrid, today is going to be a bit of a trundle.

And it's not just Froome's bike and the eight other Sky riders' kit that has a red theme: the team cars have a red stripe on them, too.

And that's a record: just 3km into the final stage and Sky have already got the beers out. They're now goofing around, with Ian Stannard the ring-leader and spraying most of his team-mates...

While Froome has his red bike, Team Sky also have a celebratory kit today.

It's a sunny day in central Spain with the temperature a warm but decent 25C.

Finally, they're off. Although the pace once the flag is flown is pretty much the same as it was before: sluggish and smiley.

We're approaching the end of the neutralized zone and oddly, we have not yet seen the polka dot jersey of Davide Villella. While the other jersey wearers are on the front of the pack in a line, the Italian clearly didn't get the memo. Either that or he's withdrawn ahead of the final stage, which would be a wretch. Ah, no, there he is! Near the back, for some reason. Come on, Davide, you should be wearing your king of the mountains jersey with pride!

A better look at Froome's bike today...

This is a very long neutral section as they edge their way very slowly out of Arroyomolinos and through the spiralling suburbs of Madrid.

Yesterday's winner talks to the overall winner in their last day riding alongside each other in the pro peloton.