"It'll all depend on what Tadej wants to do" - Vuelta gravel climb takes centre stage as Pogacar's appetite set to decide outcome
CyclingThursday, 27 August 2026 at 12:27
The Vuelta a Espana serves up a treat for cycling fans on Thursday as stage 6 is set to feature a gravel segment of the day's decisive climb. With the race now firmly on Spanish soil for the remainder of the Grand Tour, organisers have added an intriguing element to the stage.
With gravel used in recent editions of both the Giro d'Italia and Tour de France, not to mention the Tour's use of cobbles around the area of Paris Roubaix's famous pavee, the Vuelta will finally have its own segment of dirt roads.
In a climbing-heavy edition of the race, a mere 3.5 kilometer section of the course will be on gravel Thursday. Coming on the day's final climb, the 9.4 at 7 percent gradient El Bartolo test, riders can expect an average of over 11 percent hitting even 20 precent in places in the latter stages of the climb.
When the gravel section ends, there's still more climbing on the menu for riders before a 16 kilometer descent and run-in to the finish. Just shy of 3000 meters of climbing will ensure that fans will see a huge battle for the win.
"It's a very tough climb, I know that, for sure," NSN Cycling Team climber Pau Marti told Cyclingnews.
Wout van Aert ahead of stage 4 at the 2026 Vuelta a Espana
Marti looks ahead to decisive gravel segment
"It's certainly going to be decisive, particularly if you are going to be in the break. We've heard that the gravel is fairly well tamped down and level and there aren't too many broken-up patches so we'll go with the same setup as usual. We might reduce the tyre pressure a little, though, but only a bit."
The breakaway will fancy their chances with multiple shorter climbs before the main course, but Marti warned that two riders will dictate exactly how the day goes.
From a breakaway perspective, Wout van Aert is sure to be interested while the threat of Tadej Pogacar remains if the race is to come together in the finale.
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Pogacar and Van Aert may dictate result
"Being gravel on a climb makes it a heck of a lot harder to do than if the gravel was on the flat, that's for sure. And the descent is very technical in places, although as I'm good at descending I should be OK.
"But whatever happens, Pogacar's certainly going to be the favourite. He can win in any kind of terrain, so it'll all depend on what Tadej wants to do. And if it comes down to a break, then a lot will depend on whether Van Aert is there."
Pogacar has already taken two stage wins at La Vuelta and held the red jersey since the opening day. Demonstrating a climbing ability akin to his Tour de France level on stage 4, breakaway attackers have been put on notice that any stage honours will have to be earned the hard way.
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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- I said what I said, so shush. Capish?PogiSloFans27-08-2026
- Some are saying Pogačar has the best team around him. My bollocks... his team at the Vuelta is so "good" that his only serious help is Vine - who hasn't finished a single race since January and Pablo Torres - who had knee surgery 4 months ago and this is his first grand tour. Almeida is overrated, always was, just like Ayuso. You all have to realize that Pogi alone is a TEAM. God gave Pogi almost everything...talent as if it came directly from him... health, fame... he is a sports icon. He rules the world. Ad acta!!! PS: OMG, I'm using the word God... but I'm an atheist :))PogiSloFans27-08-2026
- Alright the first thing he said was wrong, Seixas did Dauphine, 8 days, already last year. Also, the logical conclusion is that Pogacar had a lot more room for improvementvappaxbipmv27-08-2026
- The same logic would apply to you. He has pro victories, YOU HAVE ZERO. What gives you the right to comment on his comments on Pogi? Everybody has free speech and can comment, whether you like it or not.abstractengineer27-08-2026
- Geraint Thomas is saying: “You’re not going to race Pogi with 50k to go and he’s doing seven watts per kilo, because you know you just can’t do that." Exactly, and Johan Bruyneel is saying the same... and other cycling experts. Everyone gets it except Chris Horner. His analysis how to beat Pogi are becoming BS: "Don't go too fast...don't go too slow...use this tactic, but on the next climb use another tactic... bla bla bla... If you have a rider like Pogi, an alien, you can stuff yout tactics where the sun never shines. If Pogi has his team around him, he has everything under control... if he's isolated he breaks away from the peleton and says... "See you in the douches." Ad acta!!!PogiSloFans27-08-2026
- Seixas is such a talent, but these French prognosticators are crazy. let him ride and stop the comparisons.mij27-08-2026
- Fabio as lead out?mij27-08-2026
- Visma has won two stages in the Vuelta, from an organization standpoint (racing and in general) they are the class of the peloton, and they are resigning their own quality riders. their demise has been so grossly overstated.mij27-08-2026
- Stop with the excuses. Train harder!
Front24227-08-2026 - He rode like a boss in the TDF - chapeau!Crashjames27-08-2026
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