Vuelta 2026 Favourites stage 18: For pure ITT specialists

fotobureau Cor VosAfter the short time trial on the opening day, the time trial specialists get another chance to showcase their skills in stage 18. The course is flat and, at 32.1 kilometres, much longer than that of stage 1. (Slideshow route/profile)

First published: 28 August 2026
Last updated: 10 September - today's weather conditions

Bike-handling skills are not essential for winning the time trial from El Puerto de Santa María to Jerez de la Frontera. The course is perfect for the power riders: flat, with only a few sections where the pace drops. But each time, they can quickly get back up to speed and power along in the big ring.

Favourites 18th stage 2026 Vuelta a España

**** Ethan Hayter, Stefan Küng, Wout van Aert
** Iván Romeo, Primoz Roglic, Bruno Armirail
* Ivo Oliveira, Callum Thornley, Oscar Chamberlain

Another interesting read: route 18th stage 2026 Vuelta.

Weather conditions:
La Vuelta is back on the coast, where temperatures are considerably more pleasant than in Andalusia's scorching interior. The wind will shift slightly during the afternoon and ease off somewhat, meaning that not all riders will race in the same conditions.

Start: 28°C, sunny, southerly wind (20 km/h)
Finish: 29°C, sunny, south-westerly wind (16 km/h)