Vuelta a España 2025 stage 21 preview - March to Madrid last spotlight for sprinters as Jonas Vingegaard set to capture overall

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September 14, 2025, Stage 21: Alalpardo - Madrid, 111.6km

GUIJUELO, SPAIN - SEPTEMBER 12: (L-R) Stage winner Jasper Philipsen of Belgium and Team Alpecin - Deceuninck, Ben Turner of Great Britain and Team INEOS Grenadiers, Jenthe Biermans of Belgium and Team Arkea - B&B Hotels and Mads Pedersen of Denmark and Team Lidl - Trek - Green Points Jersey sprint at finish line during the La Vuelta - 80th Tour of Spain 2025, Stage 19 a 161.9km stage from Rueda to Guijuelo / #UCIWT / on September 12, 2025 in Guijuelo, Spain. (Photo by Tim de Waele/Getty Images)
Stage 19 winner Jasper Philipsen of Alpecin - Deceuninck (far left) wins in sprint against Mads Pedersen of Lidl-Trek, wearing the green points jersey (far right) (Image credit: Getty Images)
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  • Start time: 15:51 CEST
  • Finish time: 19:22 CEST
  • How to watch stage 21 of the Vuelta a España
  • Favourites to win the stage: Mads Pedersen, Jasper Philipsen, Elia Viviani, Filippo Ganna

Sunday marks the long-awaited march to Madrid as three weeks of racing conclude and celebrations begin. A flat 103.6 kilometres remains on stage 21.

The traditional finish of the Spanish Grand Tour returns, after last year's time trial finale. The avenues in Madrid are wide and flat, with some road furniture thrown in, but a clear final kilometre. Could Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) make it a fourth win for this Vuelta? Can Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) capture a second victory along with the points classification?

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Regardless, a smooth ride through Madrid will give Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) the overall title, his first career GC at the Vuelta. "I hope to get through tomorrow’s stage without problems and then cross the line in Madrid wearing red,” the race leader said after winning stage 20. He carries a 1:16 margin over closest contender, João Almeida (UAE Team Emirates-XRG).

Check out our guide on how to watch the final stage live via streaming and TV broadcasts.

Stage 8 start time: 15:51 CEST / 14:51 BST 9:51 AM EST / 19:51 AEST

Stage 8 finish time: 19:22 CEST / 18:22 BST / 13:22 AM EST / 4:22 AM AEST

Stage profile for the 2025 Vuelta a España

Stage 21 profile for the 2025 Vuelta a España (Image credit: Lavuelta.es)

Climbs

  • None

Sprints

  • Madrid, km. 65.2 - time bonus
TOPICS
Jackie Tyson
Jackie Tyson
North American Editor

Jackie has been involved in professional sports for more than 30 years in news reporting, sports marketing and public relations. She founded Peloton Sports in 1998, a sports marketing and public relations agency, which managed projects for Tour de Georgia, Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah and USA Cycling. She also founded Bike Alpharetta Inc, a Georgia non-profit to promote safe cycling. She is proud to have worked in professional baseball for six years - from selling advertising to pulling the tarp for several minor league teams. On the bike, she has climbed l'Alpe d'Huez three times (not fast), and spends time on gravel around horse farms in north Georgia.

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