Vuelta 2026 Favourites stage 10: Resilient sprinters on draggy finish

fotobureau Cor VosIt is never completely flat in Stage 10, but nor does it ever get particularly steep. Despite the route featuring almost 3,000 metres of elevation gain, the presence of riders such as Wout van Aert and Mads Pedersen in the peloton means a sprint finish in Elche de la Sierra looks highly likely. (Slideshow route/profile)

First published on 20 August 2026

The route goes up and down all day, sometimes on categorised climbs and often on uncategorised ones. Although most of the climbing comes in the first half of the route, the second half is far from flat too. With just over 20 kilometres to go, the riders crest the Puerto de Socovos, a 9.7-kilometre climb averaging 3.5%. The road then rolls downhill towards a 1.7-kilometre climb averaging 5.5%, and after a 1-kilometre descent, the road rises gently over the final 4.5 kilometres towards the finish.

All in all, this is a route where anything could happen, but we still expect a sprint from a reduced peloton in Elche de la Sierra. Then again, the gradually rising finale could play into the hands of late attackers. Perhaps riders such as Hayter and Romeo will fancy their chances and give it a go.

Favourites 10th stage 2026 Vuelta a España

*** Wout van Aert, Mads Pedersen, Kaden Groves
** Matthew Brennan, Magnus Cort, Orluis Aular, Vincenzo Albanese
* Ethan Hayter, Iván Romeo, Thibau Nys, Stefan Küng, Jordi Meeus, Bryan Coquard

Another interesting read: route 10th stage 2026 Vuelta.