PREVIEW & FAVOURITES | Vuelta a España 2025 stage 7 - First GC battle or another mountain stalemate?

Stage 7 of the Vuelta a Espana is a proper mountainous day with a tough summit finish. But thus far, not many climbers have shown the ambition to attack the race. We preview another day in the Pyrenees where Torstein Traeen enters in the lead; and we get Jonas Vingegaard, João Almeida and Giulio Ciccone as the main climbers to keep an eye on.

The seventh day of racing will be the first high mountain stage, some would argue - with difficult climbing all day long - and it will be an important day for the overall classification as it also features the most difficult summit finish to date. The entire stage will take place in the Spanish Pyrenees and go through some well-known and less known climbs, that will ultimately set the stage for what should be an exciting day of racing.

Right at the start of the stage we've got the Port del Cantò which is 25 kilometers long at over 4%, but with some sections that are much more difficult - the first kilometers average over double of that. The breakaway of the day should be set here.

The 188-kilometer stage will feature two second category climbs through it's bulk which will draw up more fatigue for the contenders, but all the main favourites will be waiting for the final ascent before they attack. The climb to Cerler will be very difficult and there will be nowhere to hide.

The climb is 12.1 kilometers long at 5.9%. This is an unusual one however, as it features two small downhill sections that bring the average down. Most of the climb takes place at around 8% and there are a lot of switchbacks that can contribute to the attacking feeling.

We have again the possibility of some rain, although today the forecast wasn't overly accurate, so it's definitely not a certainty. But if it does fall, with the longer descents, it can become a reason for great danger, or at least more tension and fights for positioning.

Jonas Vingegaard - Visma didn't try today, neither to keep the jersey or to attack the race. Vingegaard rode in the wheels and I doubt he really went all out in the attack with Ciccone. Matteo Jorgenson and Sepp Kuss also did their own race, they weren't necessary. Now on this climb I think differences can be made, and Kuss will launch an attack from the Dane who will want to make the difference and begin extending his advantage by serious numbers. But again, don't expect him to be head and shoulders above the rest.

Giulio Ciccone - Lidl-Trek don't really have team to attack he race but Ciccone has the legs, and what matters at the moment is being able to match Vingegaard. His level is high, and he can attack potentially again, specially if nothing too big happens until the final section of the climb.

João Almeida - UAE has a sole leader it's now become obvious, with Ayuso falling out of GC contention - and well Marc Soler is having a free role, but he will not be much of a card to play. UAE is now on a 1-on-1 against Visma, disadvantage even in the numbers game, which limits them. Almeida showed good legs today in closing Ciccone and Vingegaard's attack, but tomorrow's climb won't suit him too well, it's quite explosive. Still if the race does explode he will obviously be amongst the best, but days where he may be able to make the difference will only come later on.

GC fight - I think that despite not seeing the gaps, the divisions between the different GC contenders became somewhat more clear today. We've got David Gaudu in great form but rather inconsistent, today we understand he is at best a Top5 candidate here; Mikel Landa and Ben O'Connor do want GC even if they are not at their best level but may try to gain time through breakaways - even on this stage...

We'll have Felix Gall, Egan Bernal, Antonio Tiberi and BORA duo Jai Hindley and Giulio Pellizzari in the mix, headlining the Top5 fight. Tom Pidcock has thus far ridden a strong race and sits well in the GC, with the Top10 quite possible if he maintains the level he's been showing thus far. Matthew Riccitello is also positioning himself in the battle.

Breakaway - Quite possible, although you have to take into consideration that Bahrain won't want to give up on the race lead the way Visma did, so a dangerous breakaway is less likely to get such freedom. But at the same time, more riders gain freedom as we go deeper into the race.

Louis Meintjes, Javier Romo, Chris Harper, Marco Frigo, Wout Poels, Harold Tejada, Juan Ayuso, Léo Bisiaux, Jan Hirt, Pablo Castrillo, David de la Cruz and Luca Vergallito are men to consider for this scenario.

*** Jonas Vingegaard
** Giulio Ciccone, João Almeida
* Egan Bernal, Antonio Tiberi, Felix Gall, Jai Hindley, Giulio Pellizzari, Tom Pidcock, Chris Harper, Marco Frigo, Wout Poels, Juan Ayuso, Harold Tejada, Jan Hirt, Pablo Castrillo

Pick: Jonas Vingegaard

How: Solo win.