Vuelta 2026 Favourites stage 9: Pogacar in race with most elevation gain

fotobureau Cor VosStage 9 is the toughest on paper, boasting more climbing than any other stage in the Vuelta. And with Tadej Pogacar in Spain to tick off items on his cycling bucket list, we're putting our money on the Slovenian to take the win. (Slideshow route/profile)

First published on 18 August 2026

On paper, it may be the toughest stage, but frankly, the 20th stage looks even more brutal. The climbs are much steeper and packed more closely together towards the finale. Not to say that stage 9 is a walk in the park. Far from it. This is still a seriously tough day in the saddle.

While the toughest climbs on stage 20 come towards the end, stage 9 spreads its challenges throughout the route. It is uphill virtually all day, with the Puerto de Tárbena (7.2 kilometres at 5.4%), Coll de Rates (1.5 kilometres at 6.2%), Puerto de El Miserat (5.2 kilometres at 10%!), Port de Tollos (4 kilometres at 5.7%), Port de Tudons (7 kilometres at 5.3%) and Port de Benifallim (4.8 kilometres at 5.8%) standing out.

After descending the Port de Benifallim, the riders climb the Port de Tudons once again, this time from the other side. With just under 7 kilometres to go, they reach the top of the Tudons, but instead of descending the way they came up earlier, the riders turn right and continue on the Alto de Aitana. This is also the toughest part of the final climb, with the gradient averaging a hefty 8% all the way to the summit.

Measured from the foot of the climb, the final ascent is 22 kilometres long and averages 5.8%.

As we know, Pogacar is in Spain to tick off races on his cycling bucket list. Perhaps that includes adding the 2026 Vuelta stage with the most climbing to his palmarès. Or perhaps... no, almost certainly! If Pogacar is not interested in the stage win, the best climbers in the breakaway will fight it out for the spoils.

Which riders from the breakaway have a chance of winning the stage depends on the overall standings, so we will update this article during La Vuelta.

Favourites 9th stage 2026 Vuelta a España

*** Tadej Pogacar, Richard Carapaz, Sepp Kuss
** Felix Gall, Oscar Onley, Santiago Buitrago, Tobias Halland Johannessen
* Jay Vine, Cian Uijtdebroeks, Mattias Skjelmose, Lorenzo Fortunato, Jan Hirt

Another interesting read: route 9th stage 2026 Vuelta.