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)

Published: 18 August 2026
Last updated: 29 August - today's weather conditions

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.

In this Vuelta, Matthew Brennan has won two sprints, but neither was a proper bunch sprint, as half the peloton had already been dropped.

Favourites 8th stage 2026 Vuelta a España

*** Matthew Brennan, Jordi Meeus
** Kaden Groves, Mads Pedersen, Orluis Aular
* Bryan Coquard, Vincenzo Albanese, Alberto Dainese, Alessandro Romele

Another interesting read: route 8th stage 2026 Vuelta.

Weather forecast:
It’s a sunny day in the Vuelta. The conditions are not expected to have much of an impact on the race, although there is a small chance of echelons forming. The wind direction is favourable, but speeds are on the low side for that.

Start: 27°C, sunny, south-easterly wind (14 km/h)
Finish: 28°C, sunny, easterly wind (15 km/h)