The third-to-last stage of the Vuelta will sort out the GC and see a rider rise to defend his golden top or a new champion snatch the threads with the hope of running clear to Madrid. The stage is only 133 kilometres but it is packed with five classified climbs before the final mountain top arrival on the Alto de Abantos.
Nervous eyes will be forced to watch every move that goes in the early portion of the day. Valdelavía and Hoyo de la Guija will be faced before the cyclists reach the two closing circuits that include climbs Alto de Robledondo and Alto de Abantos. The second round ends at the summit of Alto de Abantos; the climb averages 5.7% gradient and with section of 19%.
TOPICS
-
Tulsa Tough leads familiar look of six one-day races for 2026 American Criterium Cup
Men's individual champion Maurice Ballerstedt returns to European racing and leaves door open for new winner in series with $140,000 combined prize purse -
Christmas gifts for cyclists in 2025: Present ideas they'll actually want
Check out our list of Christmas gift ideas for cyclists, it's full of top ideas and inspiration for your cycling friends and family -
'We're not even going to think about the idea' – RCS firmly against Tadej Pogačar's suggestion to switch Giro d'Italia and Vuelta a España dates
Italian race organiser only open to a one week move into June to benefit from better weather and Italian national holiday -
A climber-friendly course that could get in the way of Elisa Longo Borghini's third title – Analysing the Giro d'Italia Women route
A lowkey start builds to a big crescendo with the Colle delle Finestre, a tough stage in the Dolomites, and a challenging uphill TT
