PREVIEW | Vuelta a Burgos 2025 stage 5 - Lagunas de Neila climb to decide race; Bisiaux, Pellizzari, Del Toro and Fortunato battle for GC

From the 5th to the 9th of August we have on the road what is potentially the single most important preparation race ahead of the Vuelta a España. The Vuelta a Burgos takes the riders through the hilly and mountainous terrain necessary to prepare for the final Grand Tour of the season whilst also helping the riders adapting to the weather conditions. We preview stage 5.

The race finishes atop the Lagunas de Neila, a name that is attached to the race as much as any climb is with other races. The day is only 138 kilometers long and features a flat start so the riders will not take a long time before they reach their main obstacles.

Although this is by no means an easy day on the bike, and this year there is a significant difficulty before the summit finish. With only 22 kilometers to the finish the riders see the end of a 3.3-kilometer long ascent that averages almost 10%. It's descent leads straight into the base of the final climb.

Lagunas de Neila is a climb that in total is around 11 kilometers long however only the final 6.4 are categorized. But these are very difficult, averaging over 9% and featuring some pretty rough ramps that every year make for large gaps. A day for the pure climbers and also the one where the overall classification is likely to be decided.

*** Giulio Pellizzari, Isaac del Toro, Giulio Ciccone
** Lorenzo Fortunato, Léo Bisiaux
* Urko Berrade, Andrew August, Egan Bernal, Damiano Caruso, Johannes Kulset, Giovanni Aleotti, Afonso Eulálio

Pick: Giulio Pellizzari

How: I think the Italian is going to get the win he's been working for over this year, he looks incredibly strong and I think he can beat this competition.