Tacks spotted on crucial Vuelta mountain descent - Spanish media warn of dangerous potential hazard in store for riders during stage 6
CyclingThursday, 27 August 2026 at 13:36
A dangerous hazard has been spotted during a crucial moment of stage 6 of the Vuelta a Espana on Thursday. Tacks have been recorded by Spanish media on the descent of the El Bartolo climb, in the final 20 kilometers of the route.
Eurosport commentator Laura Messeguer took to social media to credit Silvia Tirada's report that tacks had been spotted on the climb's descent, posting a picture showing a bike wheel that had ran over one and tore its tire.
Presenting a major risk to cyclists racing downhill in the height of a stage win battle, it's unclear whether the tacks were placed intentionally and whether or not it's an isolated case. The hazard has affected previous races, including the 2023 Vuelta a Espana and 2012 Tour de France that saw multiple riders suffer punctures as a result.
Tacks can cause severe and sudden punctures, increasing the chances of a rider crashing and potentially suffering an injury or also causing others to fall.
⚠️ Tacks in the descent on the way to Castellón. Stage 6 of La Vuelta. Via @Silvia_Tirado #LaVuelta26 pic.twitter.com/4TJpIBl8nz
— Laura Meseguer (@Laura_Meseguer) August 27, 2026
Gravel section of climb to prove decisive
The potential hazard comes on the descent after a climb that features a 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.
Tadej Pogacar and Wout van Aert are among the favourites to take victory on Thursday, but are expected to have two entirely different routes to doing so - with the Visma rider better suited to a breakaway battle while Pogacar and his UAE Team Emirates teammates could try to keep the race in check and launch the Slovenian to a potential third victory in the finale.
Over 177 kilometers lie ahead for the peloton, starting in Alcossebre and finishing in Castellon. The finish is expected to come at around 18:15 CET.
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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Front24227-08-2026 - He rode like a boss in the TDF - chapeau!Crashjames27-08-2026
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