Vuelta 2026 Favourites stage 8: For fast men #2

fotobureau Cor VosStage 8 of the Vuelta is a flat affair with a climb in the final 30 kilometres. It is certainly not the toughest climb in the world, so the sprinters should have their say in the finish town of Xeraco. (Slideshow route/profile)

First published on 18 August 2026

The climb averages 5.6% over 4.7 kilometres, after which the road continues to rise gently for another 4 kilometres or so. The riders then plunge into a flat finale.

The final kilometre runs parallel to the Mediterranean and is as straight as they come.

There were four bunch sprints in last year's Vuelta. Jasper Philipsen won three of them, with Ben Turner taking the other.

Favourites 8th stage 2026 Vuelta a España

*** Matthew Brennan, Jordi Meeus
** Wout van Aert, Kaden Groves, Mads Pedersen, Orluis Aular
* Ethan Hayter, Bryan Coquard, Vincenzo Albanese, Alberto Dainese

Another interesting read: route 8th stage 2026 Vuelta.

Vuelta a España 2026 stage 8: routes & profiles

profile

route

final run-in profile

final run-in route