Date: Sunday 14 September
Distance: 112km
Start location: Alalpardo
Finish location: Madrid
Start time: 16:40 CEST
Finish time: 19:22 CEST
There’s nothing metropolitan about Alalpardo, the town that hosts the start of this final stage of the Vuelta a España. It’s a small, nondescript place, surrounded by the countryside, where visitors enjoy mostly outdoor activities such as hiking and cycling. And like many small towns in Spain, its main festivity is a traditional Christian one, when every Christmas time a live Nativity scene is performed in specially made lifesize sets at the Parque de Nuestra Señora del Rosario.
From Alalpardo the riders will notice their surroundings become more and more built-up as they travel south, before arriving at the much bigger urban jungle of composition Madrid, to take part in the annual circuit race finale that typically closes the Vuelta. It’s an evening time stage, and spectators hoping to make both a day and night of it will have the opportunity to do so. This being Spain it’s typical to eat late, so there’s plenty of time after the stage and podium ceremonies finish to find a restaurant and sample some of the local specialities — say, Cocido Madrileño, a chickpea-based stew. After that, there's a range of nightlife experiences to cater to many needs, from the youthful Alonso Martine area, to the more alternative Malasaña that first flourished during the seismic La Movida progressive movement of the 1980s, to the gay-friendly Chueca district.
Before festivities begin, there’s a race to be ridden, and for the sprinters in particular it’s a big one. They’ve waited a long time and climbed many a mountain for this, and at last have a chance to race for a stage win. The flat parcours of this Madrid circuit has made a sprint finish virtually guaranteed over the years, and Juan Sebastián Molano, Pascal Ackermann, Fabio Jakobsen, Elia Viviani, Matteo Trentin and Magnus Cort have all triumphed here in bunch finishes this past decade.
A sprint finish does not seem quite as nailed-on as it once did, however. In 2023, a
breakaway disrupted the usual formula, going clear from the peloton with just under 40km left to ride, and just about hanging on to the finish. On the Vuelta’s first Madrid road stage since then (last year’s finale was a time trial, won by Stefan Küng), riders may therefore be more emboldened to try their luck with attacks; but it should be remembered that that success group was one of rate firepower, featuring both Remco Evenepoel and Filippo Ganna, who had only a month ago won gold and silver respectively at the World Championship time trial in Glasgow, and still ended up being won by sprint-specialist Kaden Groves, who had the foresight to follow the move when it went clear. They will have to be attentive and race smart, but this is still a day for the sprinters.
Contenders
Whether it’s a classic Madrid sprint showdown or a daring escape, the final chapter of La Vuelta promises a thrilling conclusion.
Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck), winner of stages one, eight and eight-teen, is the fastest sprinter in the Vuelta peloton and will be eager to cap his Vuelta with a fourth victory.
Philipsen will be against Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek). After his breakaway win on stage 15, Pedersen has proven he's not afraid to go long — but in Madrid, Lidl-Trek may opt to control the race and keep things together, setting up a lead out for Pedersen.
If it comes down to a bunch sprint, Ben Turner (Ineos Grenadiers) also showed a sharp turn of speed to win stage four. Ineos have other options to go long on the stage through Filippo Ganna (stage 18 ITT), they'll be hungry for one more. Bob Jungels, Michał Kwiatkowski and Magnus Sheffield could also play cards for the team, especially if things get unpredictable late.
Ethan Vernon (Israel-Premier Tech) has twice finished second in sprints during this Vuelta and could finally break through if he survives the fast-paced run-in. His teammate Jake Stewart is another option if the finish gets messy.
Spain's hopes may lie with Movistar’s Orluis Aular and Iván García Cortina, both capable in a reduced bunch finish, while veteran Elia Viviani (Lotto) brings the experience and craft to pounce if the timing is right—though he’ll need good legs to make it to the finale in contention.
Of course, the final stage in Madrid isn’t always a guaranteed bunch sprint. A brave breakaway might try to spoil the party. Other strongmen capable of going long include Nico Denz (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe), and Gijs Leemreize (Team Picnic PostNL), while Stefan Küng (Groupama-FDJ) might relish a last chance to stretch the legs.
Prediction
We think Jasper Philipsen will win his fourth stage at this Vuelta.
