Vuelta 2026 Favourites stage 4: Who'll win explosive Andorra stage?

fotobureau Cor VosLa Vuelta does not waste any time getting down to the essentials. As early as stage 4, a beast of a mountain stage awaits. The riders tackle four summits over 104.8 kilometres, in a stage that takes place entirely in the mountainous principality of Andorra. (Slideshow route/profile)

First published on 16 August 2026

Odds are that Pogacar and his team will control the race. The most obvious winner would then be the big man himself, but perhaps — as in the Tour — he will be happy to let one of his lieutenants take the stage win.

The route is brutally tough. In just over 100 kilometres, the riders tackle almost 3,000 metres of elevation gain. They cross the Port d’Envalira (23.3 kilometres at 5.1%), Collada de Beixalis (6.5 kilometres at 8.5%) and Col d’Ordino (9.9 kilometres at 7%) before heading into a surprisingly easy finale.

There are still 26.1 kilometres to go at the top of the Ordino. The riders descend towards the finish in Andorra la Vella, but just before reaching the town, they turn off to tackle the Alto de La Comella, a 3.9-kilometre climb at 5.9%. From the top, it is then just 4.8 kilometres of descending to the finish.