After last year’s finale in Santiago de Compostela, the Vuelta returns to the traditional location for its final flourish: Madrid.
Despite all the mountains the organisers put in their path, a handful of sprinters always make it to the Spanish capital for a short stage that starts in festive mode and concludes in a frenzy after 12 laps of a short circuit in the heart of the city. As has recently been the case with the Tour de France’s finale on the Champs-Élysées, this stage will take place in the early evening, which adds to the atmosphere and brings out bigger crowds as the heat of the day will have passed.
José Luis Arrieta (Movistar DS):
"The stage when the fiesta can start. The circuit will highlight all of Madrid’s great sights. I’d be very surprised if it finished in anything other than a bunch sprint. Hopefully our party will have a special edge as we’ll be riding in with the red jersey."
The text in this preview originally appeared in the September edition of Procycling magazine.
-
The next Australians on the path to the WorldTour? Taking a closer look at the riders who shot to the top at the 2026 ProVelo Super League
The top domestic series is over for another year but the journey is likely just beginning for some of its standout riders -
'I didn't expect to win by such a margin' – A time trial triumph for Paul Seixas as he carves out first WorldTour stage victory and claims leader's jersey at Itzulia Basque Country
A landmark victory snared but the job has just begun as 19 year old now turns focus to defending the jersey -
Everything the Tour of Flanders can tell us about Paris-Roubaix – The Monument quintuple, no Remco Evenepoel, and Lotte Kopecky's chances
Cyclingnews' key takeaways from Sunday's race, amid the build-up to a Sunday in Hell -
Remco Evenepoel opts not to make debut at Paris-Roubaix, despite Tour of Flanders podium
No last-minute surprise participation for the Belgian star in Hell of the North
