Vuelta 2026 Favourites stage 12: Gruelling journey to Calar Alto observatory

fotobureau Cor VosThe route to the Observatorio Astronómico de Calar Alto is a relentless test of climbing, with the real punishment saved for the finale. Two brutal climbs in the final 44 kilometres feature sections well into double digits. This is one for the climbers of the highest calibre. (Slideshow route/profile)

First published on 20 August 2026

Over the first 70 kilometres, the riders gradually gain altitude before descending towards what the 12th stage is all about. Two climbs in succession, the Alto de Velefique and Calar Alto, make up a one-two punch that begins 43.4 kilometres from the finish.

First up is the Alto de Velefique. It is a 13.1-kilometre slog averaging 7.2%, with the first 5 kilometres averaging 9%. After the summit, the riders descend for 13.4 kilometres before reaching the final climb: 16.9 kilometres at 5.6%. On paper, that may not sound particularly tough, but in reality it certainly is.

As on the Alto de Velefique, the first 5 kilometres of Calar Alto are also the toughest. The average gradient in this section is a punishing 9.6%. It gets considerably easier after that, although the 3 kilometres from the summit ramps up again to 9.5%.

All in all, this terrain suits Pogacar down to the ground. He has not had the chance to fight for a mountain top win for a while, so we are betting on him giving it a go. If he does not, it should be a day for the strongest climber in the breakaway.

Which riders have a chance of winning the stage from the breakaway depends on the standings; we will update this article during the Vuelta.

Favourites 12th stage 2026 Vuelta a España

*** Tadej Pogacar, Mattias Skjelmose, Richard Carapaz
** Oscar Onley, Sepp Kuss, Jay Vine, Lorenzo Fortunato
* Santiago Buitrago, Matthew Riccitello, Iván Sosa, Andreas Leknessund

Another interesting read: route 12th stage 2026 Vuelta.