Preview: Vuelta a España (final) & GP Quebec and Montreal

The Bola del Mundo and the traditional Madrid parade

The Vuelta concludes with two contrasting stages: a brutal showdown on the feared Bola del Mundo, followed by the traditional sprint in Madrid. The penultimate stage will decide the general classification, while the final day offers glory to the fastest men in the peloton.

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Stage previews for Stages 20 and 21

Stage 20 – September 13, 2025 | Robledo de Chavela – Bola del Mundo (159 km) | Mountain Stage

The queen stage of the Vuelta returns to the mountains of Madrid. With five categorized climbs, including the Puerto de Navacerrada and the summit finish on the Bola del Mundo (Esp. cat, 2258m), this stage is a true decider. Used only twice before, it has already become legendary. In 2010, Ezequiel Mosquera appeared to win here but was later disqualified for doping. In 2012, Denis Menchov conquered the mountain. A brutal and spectacular finale to the GC battle.

Previous Vuelta stage winners on the Bola del Mundo:

• 2012 | Stage 20 | Denis Menchov

• 2010 | Stage 20 | Ezequiel Mosquera (later disqualified, no new winner assigned)

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Stage 21 – September 14, 2025 | Alalpardo – Madrid (101 km) | Flat Stage

The traditional finale of the Vuelta. The 80th finish in Madrid is both a celebration and one last opportunity for the sprinters. In recent years, the winners list has been a showcase of world-class sprinters, from Viviani to Jakobsen and Groves. In 2024, Stefan Küng surprisingly took victory in a time trial edition of the final stage. Who will write their name in the history books this year on the Paseo de la Castellana?

Previous Vuelta stage winners in Madrid (last 10):

• 2024 | Stage 21 | Stefan Küng (ITT)

• 2023 | Stage 21 | Kaden Groves

• 2022 | Stage 21 | Juan Sebastian Molano

• 2020 | Stage 18 | Pascal Ackermann

• 2019 | Stage 21 | Fabio Jakobsen

• 2018 | Stage 21 | Elia Viviani

• 2017 | Stage 21 | Matteo Trentin

• 2016 | Stage 21 | Magnus Cort

• 2015 | Stage 21 | John Degenkolb

• 2013 | Stage 21 | Michael Matthews