Vuelta 2026 Route stage 8: Puçol - Xeraco

Saturday 29 August - The 8th stage of La Vuelta covers 171 kilometres from Puçol to Xeraco. The sprinters will be licking their lips, as the route is virtually flat, with only 1,281 metres of climbing in total.

Last updated: 29 August 2026 – stage results link added

Race type: flat with a climb towards the finish
Likely winners: sprinters
Weather forecast: sunny, hardly any wind

Puçol lies 20 kilometres north of Valencia, and Xeraco 20 kilometres to the south. The route arcs around the orange city, offering the riders virtually no obstacles along the way. It's only in the very final section that a brief ascent appears.

The riders reach the outskirts of the finish town just as they tackle the Puerto de Barx, a 4.7-kilometre climb at 5.6% that eases off significantly in the second half, averaging out at 8.6 kilometres at 3.8% overall.

After moving through Barx, there are 26.1 kilometres remaining. The first half is a descent towards Gandia, before the route flattens out completely for the run-in to the line. The riders approach the finish along a road that is as straight as a ruler.

Ten editions ago, a Vuelta stage finished in Gandia. It was a landmark day for Magnus Cort, then just 23 years old, as he claimed his first victory in a Grand Tour. He would later add stage wins in the Giro d'Italia and Tour de France, but to this day La Vuelta remains the most fertile ground for the Dane.

The first three riders across the line receive 10, 6 and 4 seconds of time bonuses, while 6, 4 and 2 seconds are up for grabs at the intermediate sprint in Simat de la Valldigna.

Fancy riding the route yourself? Download GPX 8th stage 2026 Vuelta a España.

Another interesting read: results 8th stage 2026 Vuelta a España.