The traditional Madrid finish
After a train transfer to Madrid, the final stage starts at the Jarama motor-racing circuit to the north of the Spanish capital. The stage will start slow, with the usual celebratory pictures of the red jersey winner with a glass of a champers, but the speed will pick up rapidly once the riders reach Madrid for the first of 10 laps of the finishing circuit that includes the Paseo de la Castellana, the Gran Vía and the Paseo del Prado. As is now the tradition, the finish line is in the Plaza Cibeles, where the sprinters won’t let anyone deny them their final fling.
The Jarama motor-racing circuit made a brief cameo in what is widely regarded as the best Vuelta of all time. The 1974 edition pitched José Manuel Fuente, the winner two years previously, against 1970 champion Luis Ocaña, who had taken the Tour title in 1973. The pair were supposed to be preparing for targets further into the season, but neither man held back. Fuente’s Kas team won the 4km TTT and second place in the 5km mountain TT two days later moved him into a narrow lead. In the final day’s San Sebastián time trial, Fuente hung on to win by just 11 seconds.
Distance: 94.2km
Highest point: 725m
Category: Flat
Javier Guillén says...
"This is a party that starts the night before at the Jarama motor-racing circuit. It’s the shortest stage and the riders will relax before starting 10 laps on the San Isidro circuit in the centre of Madrid. It’s the ideal finish for both the fans and the winner."
Profile
-
Legendary duels, left-field business moves, and the role of La Gazzetta: How RCS turned the Giro d'Italia into a national treasure, and a billion Euro event
When the Corsa Rosa is on, it 'has the power to transform every day into a Sunday' for the Italian people, but how did a race launched to promote a newspaper become a global sporting event? -
As it happened: Breakaway hearts broken as the sprinters take stage 4 of La Vuelta Femenina
As the race heads toward the mountains, stage 4 brings the field a 115km race that begins in Monforte de Lemos -
Red Bull Kilometre sprints and stage finishes offer precious time bonuses during 2026 Giro d'Italia
Six, four and two second time bonuses positioned close to finished and final climbs, with €130,000 in extra prize money -
Vuelta Femenina: Lotte Kopecky wins hectic stage 4 sprint and uses bonus points to claim red leader's jersey
Anna van der Breggen second for SD Worx-Protime one-two finish in Antas de Ulla
