The queen stage: why the Sierra Nevada decides the 2026 Vuelta
Over 5,000 metres of climbing, five categorised ascents and a final climb averaging nearly 10 percent: stage 20 is the toughest day of the 2026 Vuelta.
The toughest day of this Vuelta
Stage 20 from La Calahorra to Collado del Alguacil is by far the most demanding day of the 2026 Vuelta: five categorised climbs, over 5,000 metres of elevation gain, and the Alto de Hazallanas featured twice.
A beyond-category finale
The final climb to Collado del Alguacil is beyond category: 8.3 kilometres averaging nearly 10 percent. The Sierra Nevada has decided the Vuelta before, and with the Jerez time trial having taken place only two days earlier, the favourites can afford to leave nothing to chance here.
A day after the last chance to lose it
Stage 19 to Peñas Blancas is tough enough to break the GC, but stage 20 is where it gets made. Whoever has the strongest legs here will almost certainly ride the following day's final stage into Granada in red.
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