Vuelta 2026 Favourites stage 10: Resilient sprinters or attackers

fotobureau Cor VosIt is never completely flat in the 10th stage, 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 Matthew Brennan, Wout van Aert and Mads Pedersen in the peloton means a sprint finish in Elche de la Sierra looks highly likely. Although Van Aert and Pedersen could also win from the breakaway... (Slideshow route/profile)

Published: 20 August 2026
Last updated: 1 September - today's weather forecast

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 parcours that could go in any direction. If a strong group of attackers gets away, the winner could well come from that breakaway, although a sprint from a reduced peloton in Elche de la Sierra is also not out of the question. At the same time, the uphill-sloping final kilometres could favour late attackers, especially with the wind at their backs. Perhaps riders such as Hayter and Romeo will take a chance.

All in all, this is a parcours that could go in any direction. If a strong group of attackers is clear, the winner could well come from that breakaway, although a sprint from a reduced peloton is also not out of the question. At the same time, the gently rising run-in could inspire late attackers, especially with the wind at their backs. Time trial specialists such as Hayter and Küng could well give it a go in the uphill-sloping final kilometres.

Favourites 10th stage 2026 Vuelta a España

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

Another interesting read: route 10th stage 2026 Vuelta.

Weather forecast:
The riders are heading further south, but there is no sun-drenched weather on the cards today. A fast finale is in store, with a tailwind from the Puerto de Socovos onwards.

Start: 29°C, cloudy, south-westerly wind (9 km/h)
Finish: 30°C, partly cloudy, south-westerly wind (16 km/h)