“A lot can happen” - Contador sends Vuelta warning as dangerous sections of final stage circuit pinpointed
Cycling
The Vuelta a España 2026 reaches its final stage with Granada hosting the curtain call, but Alberto Contador is clear that the last day will not necessarily be the traditional parade to the line. The Spanish ex-rider has dissected a route he views as particularly delicate given the nature of the streets the race will use.
The organisers have designed a final stage packed with short climbs around the Alhambra. The peloton will tackle four laps of a circuit featuring several ascents, which could turn the day into a far tougher test than usual for riders reaching the end of La Vuelta with little left in the tank.
“It will be anything but a procession,” Contador warned as he analysed the route. He explained that four passages over these climbs could make the stage significantly more competitive than expected, especially after three weeks of racing.
One aspect that most worries Contador is the condition of certain parts of the course. The climb runs through Granada’s streets and, as the former rider noted, this kind of urban layout can pose additional challenges for the peloton.
Alberto Contador, owner of Team Polti VisitMalta
City streets could prove slippery
“As we know, the streets of a big city can always be a bit more slippery,” Contador said, drawing particular attention to specific areas on the circuit. The former Tour de France winner also highlighted patches of grime in places and urged caution on corners that dip slightly.
The situation could be even trickier given when this stage takes place. After the heavy load of the preceding days, gaps between riders may also depend on how their bodies respond on a course with these characteristics.
As for the main climb, Contador underlined that it is just over two kilometres long with an average gradient close to 6%. On paper, that effort may not seem decisive, but it takes on a different dimension after three weeks of competition with riders on the limit.
Alberto Contador and La Vuelta’s Granada finale
“After the monster stage they’ve just done and with energy so low, a lot can happen,” Contador said, leaving the door open for the last day to carry more weight than anticipated.
Riders will face four laps of the circuit before the finish in Granada. Therefore, even if the general classification is virtually settled on the final day, Contador believes there will still be reasons to keep a close eye on the race.
La Vuelta a España will sign off with a stage unlike the usual finales, where the urban route, four climbs, and accumulated fatigue could play a major role. “We’ll see who finally comes out on top here in Granada,” Contador concluded.
Juan LarraCycling Journalist
Juan Larra is a writer for Cyclinguptodate and editor-in-chief of Ciclismoaldia, where he has played a central role since its inception. Under his leadership, the website has become a trusted source for professional cycling coverage, offering in-depth analysis, news, and feature stories.
A sports journalist with over 20 years of experience, Juan earned his degree in Journalism from the University of Seville in 2007. He began his career covering a wide range of sports—including football, basketball, Formula 1, MotoGP, tennis, and cycling—for platforms such as the official La Liga app, Vodafone and Movistar websites, NBA Blogdebasket, and Cadena Cope, honing his skills in writing and editorial management.
In addition to his work at Ciclismoaldia, Juan contributes to Cyclinguptodate and serves as editor-in-chief for the tennis-focused site Tenisaldia. Throughout his career, he has conducted exclusive interviews with cyclists and sports figures, provided detailed analysis of competitions ranging from local Spanish races to major international events, and acted as a special correspondent at prestigious races including Paris-Roubaix, the Tour de France, and the Vuelta a España.
Juan’s combination of experience, expertise, and direct access to athletes has established him—and the platforms he leads—as authoritative voices in professional cycling.
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