Vuelta 2026 Favourites stage 21: Late attackers versus sprinters

fotobureau Cor VosThe final stage of the Vuelta bears some resemblance to that of the Tour. In Paris, Mathieu van der Poel held off the charging peloton by just a few millimetres. Can the breakaway riders pull off the same feat in Granada? (Slideshow route/profile)

First published on 28 August 2026

The riders will battle for the stage win on a 9.8-kilometre circuit. Each lap features a 2.1-kilometre climb averaging 6.6%, which they tackle for the final time with 7.8 kilometres to go.

That is still quite a long way from the finish, so a sprint is still the most likely outcome. Unless a few powerhouses join forces to hold off the charging peloton. Van Aert, Pedersen, Groves, Romeo, Küng — just to name a few...

The difference compared with the pursuit that unfolded in Paris last July, when the peloton chased down late attackers Van der Poel and Pogačar, is that this peloton is somewhat less powerful. So the chances of a late attack succeeding are higher.

On the flat finishing circuit in Madrid, a group featuring Ganna, Groves and Evenepoel managed to outsmart the peloton in 2024. The Australian took the spoils that day.

Favourites 21st stage 2026 Vuelta a España

*** Wout van Aert, Mads Pedersen, Magnus Cort
** Matthew Brennan, Iván Romeo, Orluis Aular, Ben Turner
* Christophe Laporte, Stefan Küng, Ethan Hayter, Finn Fisher-Black

Another interesting read: route 21st stage 2026 Vuelta.