Vuelta 2026 Favourites stage 6: Steep gravel climb shapes finale

fotobureau Cor VosStage 6 of the Vuelta is a fairly unremarkable hilly affair until the Puerto de Bartolo looms into view with 30 kilometres to go. The 9.4-kilometre climb features a 1.9-kilometre gravel section at a brutal 11.8% just below the summit. Will that be enough to tempt Pogacar into a bid for the stage win, or will the breakaway have its day? (Slideshow route/profile)

First published on 18 August 2026

After a rolling opening, the riders tackle the Puerto de la Serratella (14 kilometres at 3.8%) and Coll de la Bandereta (4.6 kilometres at 6.7%) before descending towards the Mediterranean. There, they complete a circuit featuring the Alto de Desierto de las Palmas (7.6 kilometres at 4.9%) twice. The second ascent comes with an extra sting in the tail, as the riders take a detour onto a narrow 1.9-kilometre gravel section averaging 11.8%.

With 1.1 kilometres to go to the top, the gravel gives way to tarmac and the road immediately starts to descend, followed by a final sting: 500 metres at 12.5%. The Alto de Desierto de las Palmas, including the gravel section and the steep final ramp, is known as the Puerto de Bartolo. The riders crest it with 20.6 kilometres remaining before they plunge downhill for a flat run-in to the line.

If Pogacar wants to go for the win, his team could take control of the race before he launches his attack on the steep gravel ramps. There is a good chance nobody will be able to follow, leaving him to ride solo to victory. If he is happy to leave things as they are, however, the Puerto de Bartolo could ignite a fascinating battle among the breakaway riders. Whether anyone can get clear remains to be seen. Otherwise, we could be heading for a sprint from a select group.

How the race infuld depends on the situation in the standings; we will update this article during the Vuelta.

Favourites 6th stage 2026 Vuelta a España

*** Tadej Pogacar, Thibau Nys, Wout van Aert, Finn Fisher-Black
** Richard Carapaz, Santiago Buitrago, Primoz Roglic, Mads Pedersen
* Kaden Groves, Koen Bouwman, Christophe Laporte, Filippo Zana, Axel Laurence

Another interesting read: route 6th stage 2026 Vuelta.

Vuelta a España 2026 stage 6: routes & profiles

profile

route

Puerto de Bartolo

final run-in