ANALYSIS - Five of the 2026 Vuelta a España's stages that can end up being decisive for Tadej Pogacar
Cycling
The 2026 Vuelta a España is about to start. On Saturday, 22nd of August, Monaco will fire the starting gun for an edition entirely shaped by the presence of Tadej Pogacar, the outright favourite to win the Spanish Grand Tour for the first time and complete the set of all three Grand Tours. Below, you'll find some of the most interesting stages that can decide the race outside of the obvious days.
The Slovenian, winner of five Tours de France and one Giro d’Italia, lines up clearly ahead of the rest. Felix Gall, Oscar Onley, Mattias Skjelmose, Richard Carapaz, Mikel Landa, Enric Mas, Cian Uijtdebroeks, and Carlos Rodríguez are among the riders expected to fight for the podium places.
The race opens with a short individual time trial in Monaco, but the route ramps up steadily towards one of the most demanding Vueltas in recent years. Five stages stand out for their potential to create gaps, invite attacks, and deliver a show.
Stage 3: the first serious test for Pogacar
Gruissan - Aude > Font Romeu 174 km
Stage three, from Gruissan to Font-Romeu, covers 174 kilometres and is the first truly interesting day for the general classification contenders. The profile is a distinctive medium-mountain layout, with Mont-Louis, roughly 19 kilometres at 4.8%, followed almost immediately by the final climb to Font-Romeu, around 10 kilometres at 5%.
In total, the riders will face close to 30 kilometres of climbing at fairly steady gradients. It suits both a strong breakaway and the favourites, depending on Pogacar’s intentions.
That is the key unknown. It will be the first chance to see whether the Slovenian wants to stamp his authority from the opening days or, instead, save energy and wait for the high mountains. In any case, it is the first stage where the general classification can begin to take meaningful shape.
Stage 6: A Castellón classic inside the Vuelta
Alcossebre > Castelló 177.4 km
Stage six, finishing in Castelló, is among the most attractive days in the first half of the Vuelta. It is a true leg-breaker, with multiple climbs and a route that echoes the local Castellón classic.
The main focal point is the climb to El Bartolo, around 9 kilometres at 7%, placed in the decisive phase of the day, which features gravel roads towards its summit and hence a different challenge than what the riders are used to.
Before that, the peloton must clear three more climbs of second and third category. The profile makes it ideal terrain for a quality break to contest the win, though the favourites could also be tempted to move.
The twist is that, after cresting El Bartolo, there is still ground to cover to Castellón, so anyone who opens a gap will need to defend it to the line. It has the feel of a one-day classic and could produce one of the first big tactical battles of the Vuelta.
Stage 9: Alicante tests the favourites
La Vila Joiosa/Villajoyosa > Alto de Aitana.Costa Blanca 187.4 km
Stage nine runs from La Vila Joiosa to the Alto de Aitana, a day raced entirely in the province of Alicante. It is one of the first truly demanding summit finishes of the Vuelta and strings together a comprehensive loop around Alicante, with numerous mountain sectors and several climbs before the final ascent.
The Alto de Aitana, a first-category climb, averages around 6%, though its steepest ramps can open significant gaps. The mix of first-category and up to three second-category ascents will ensure the riders hit the final climb with plenty of fatigue.
It is therefore a key stage to gauge who has arrived capable of fighting for the general classification and, above all, how tightly Pogacar intends to control the race in the early days.
Stage 20: the queen stage with the Collado del Alguacil
La Calahorra > Collado del Alguacil 186.8 km
If one day stands out above the rest for sheer difficulty, it is stage 20, deep in Granada and just one day from the finish.
Even if the general classification looks almost settled, the route offers a last chance for a full mountain spectacle. The stage strings together multiple first-category climbs and finishes at the Collado del Alguacil, a hors-catégorie ascent with an average gradient close to 10%.
Before the final climb, the peloton must clear the Purche twice, around 8 kilometers at 8%, followed by El Duque, roughly 7 kilometers at 8%.
The accumulated fatigue will be brutal. The chain of ascents turns this day into the true queen stage of the Vuelta a España 2026 and one of the toughest of the entire season.
With extraordinary elevation gain throughout the stage, this could become the last major platform for the climbers to shake up the general classification.
Stage 21: Granada delivers the grand finale
Carrefour Granada > Granada 112 km
The Vuelta will finish in Granada, with a final stage aiming to offer a different spectacle from the traditional Madrid curtain call.
The day will have a distinctly urban flavor, with a climb through the streets of Granada that showcases a spectacular setting and privileged views of the city and the Alhambra.
Although the finish will not sit at the summit, the route will deliver a finale very different from the Vuelta’s classic bunch sprints. From a sporting perspective, it looks tailor-made for the fast men who survive the course’s hurdles, though a breakaway cannot be ruled out.
And another name looms large: Wout van Aert. The Belgian could be a prime contender to chase victory on this last day, while it would be no surprise to see Pogacar trying to seal the Vuelta with another win.
The Vuelta a España 2026 will offer plenty of intrigue beyond whether Pogacar completes the Grand Tour treble. These five stages mark potential flashpoints where the race can split, gaps can widen, and the leading contenders can show their true ambitions. With Pogacar on the start line, the spectacle feels guaranteed.
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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- "Anatomy of a G.O.A.T." OK, that's great!!! I've been saying all along: Tadej Pogačar-Pogi is the G.O.A.T... period. Not only in cycling... but he's the greatest sportsman that ever lived !!! But let's take a look of what real foolishness looks like: We have many many fools, also on this site, saying that Pogi is "boring,"... he's making cycling "boring"??? I can't believe what's comming out of their deteriorating smelly mouths. So I guess Merckx, Hinault, Indurain, Fasto Coppi and Anquetil were also boring!?!? I guess Michael Jordan, Le Bron, Gretzky, Messi, Ronaldo, Shumacher, Novak Džoković, Federer, Rossi, Marquez, Phelps, Michaela Shiffrin, Venus Williams, Bolt, Lewis Hamilton... etc. were all boring. PS: Many cycling "fans" that think that way, have to get a brain scan. Ad acta!!!PogiSloFans13-11-2026
- Ayuso has had enough time. He's always going to be a mediocre to good cyclist... nothing special or astonishing. But he does have many excuses, just like Remco, but Remco delivers good wins on occasions, Ayuso doesn't. Ad acta!!!PogiSloFans13-11-2026
- I agree, Johan Bruyneel made big mistakes, he was involved in the biggest doping scandal in the history of sports... BUT NEVERTHELESS... Bruyneels analysis on bike racing and cyclists is among the best. That's a fact... period!!! I love listening to Spencer Martin and Johan on WEDU, but I don't care about Armstrong and Hincapie. They are both american bull shi***s who like to exaggerate and talk nonsense.PogiSloFans13-11-2026
- the headline is poorly written too. it makes it sound like their plan is to simply wait until he stops.mij13-11-2026
- It doesnt take a genius to understand that Pogi is 1 level above and Pogi is younger that Jonas, so Jonas will not win under ordinary circumstances. Pogi has to crack hard for Jonas to win. It doesn't matter whether you defend Jonas or not , facts remain facts. Jonas himself says his numbers are better than 2022/2023, so Jonas is more or less optimized and we are just see the stochastic variation due to other factors. I think he will retire along with Pedersen in WC denmarkabstractengineer13-11-2026
- They only raced each other during the 2026 Tour, but here's a few metrics to look at. Stage 3 (Granollers to Les Angles): Pogačar won the stage, finishing 2 seconds ahead of Vingegaard (2nd). Del Toro finished 24 seconds behind Stage 6 (Pau to Gavarnie-Gedre / Col du Tourmalet): Pogačar won solo, Vingegaard finished 2nd (losing 2:38), and Del Toro finished 3rd (at +2:57, finishing 19 seconds behind Vingegaard). Here, Jonas Vingegaard outclimbed Isaac del Toro by 19 seconds on the mountain stageawp13-11-2026
- your clinging to the past. Jonas was dropped by del toro many times last year and jonas never managed a climbing numers del toro did in dauphine last year -entire year. Trend is also evident theres no discussion your living in the past, its beent he same with jonas for many years now and only developing, meanwhile del toro is rising and developing greatly. This is all obvious stuff and im not even a del toro fan. No point discussing numbers or this i suspect you dont watch much now but rather think its 2022 still cause this aint hard.miguel13-11-2026
- We can go through metrics if you like, Del Toro, who I do admire and support, is not on the same level as Jonas just yet. You will see that in early 2027 if they have any crossover races. I do hope they both race the Giro. You are correct though, Jonas is getting older and will not be able to hand on much longer. I see 2027 as a good year for him. Obviously behind Tadej though.awp13-11-2026
- What wins? Are you LA operating under a pseudonym?mij13-11-2026
- My point is this - Tadej, Remco, Seixas are all the outliers. Many riders don’t hit their peak until 28. It’s way too early to write him off. And the pogi slo guy that hates him - he’s also immature. Ayuso needs time.mij13-11-2026
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