Vuelta 2026 Favourites stage 5: For fast men #1

fotobureau Cor VosA stage with 1,662 metres of elevation gain – that's flat by Vuelta standards, making a first bunch sprint in a highly likely outcome. But before the sprinters can do what they do best, they'll have to get over a climb just 25 kilometres from the finish. (Slideshow route/profile)

First published on 18 August 2026

After a rolling opening, the riders head into a flatter middle section. The roads become more undulating again over the final 50 kilometres, with a 2.9-kilometre climb at 5.7% and the Alto de Paüls (3.5 kilometres at 7.1%) providing the main obstacles. Neither should pose too much of a problem for the type of sprinters lining up in Spain, though, so a bunch sprint in Roquetes looks the most likely outcome.

Should a sprinter be dropped on the Alto de Paüls, he will still have 24.9 kilometres to chase back into contention.

Favourites 5th stage 2026 Vuelta a España

*** Matthew Brennan, Mads Pedersen, Kaden Groves
** Wout van Aert, Jordi Meeus, Orluis Aular, Bryan Coquard
* Henri-François Haquin, Alberto Dainese, Vincenzo Albanese, Marc Brustenga

Another interesting read: route 5th stage 2026 Vuelta.

Vuelta a España 2026 stage 5: routes & profiles

profile

route

final run-in profile

final run-in route