Preview: Vuelta a España (week 2) & Bretagne Classic

From Zaragoza to the Angliru: sprinters, puncheurs, and the first big summit showdown

The second week of the Vuelta begins in the plains of Aragón and quickly escalates into high mountains. Sprinters and attackers will have their chances, but the spotlight inevitably turns to the climbers. Historic finishes in Zaragoza, Valdezcaray, Bilbao, and the mighty Angliru guarantee drama and decisive battles in the general classification.

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Stage previews for Stages 8 through 13

Stage 8 – August 30, 2025 | Monzón Templario – Zaragoza (158 km) | Flat Stage

The Vuelta’s 51st finish in Zaragoza is a gift for the sprinters. History here is rich: Petacchi sprinted to multiple wins, Molano triumphed in 2023, and Erik Zabel took one of his last Grand Tour victories in 2007. Zaragoza is also remembered for the fastest mass-start stage in Grand Tour history (2001, Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano, 55.175 km/h). Expect another furious sprint in the streets of the Aragonese capital.

Previous Vuelta stage winners in Zaragoza (this century):

• 2023 | Stage 12 | Juan Sebastian Molano

• 2008 | Stage 10 | Sébastien Hinault

• 2007 | Stage 8 | Bert Grabsch (ITT)

• 2007 | Stage 7 | Erik Zabel

• 2004 | Stage 4 | Alessandro Petacchi

• 2003 | Stage 6 | Isidro Nozal (ITT)

• 2003 | Stage 5 | Alessandro Petacchi

• 2001 | Stage 9 | Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano (fastest ever road stage: 179.2 km in 3h14’52” – 55.175 km/h)

• 2000 | Stage 12 | Alessandro Petacchi

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Stage 9 – August 31, 2025 | Alfaro – Estación de Esquí de Valdezcaray (195 km) | Mountain Stage

The peloton heads into Rioja and climbs to Valdezcaray, a finish only used twice before. Sean Kelly (1988) and Simon Clarke (2012) both won here, in stages marked by chaos and surprise. The final climb is long but steady (1st cat, 1523m) – a perfect battleground for GC outsiders and resilient attackers.

Previous Vuelta stage winners in Valdezcaray:

• 2012 | Stage 4 | Simon Clarke

• 1988 | Stage 11 | Sean Kelly

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Stage 10 – September 2, 2025 | Parque de la Naturaleza Semdaviva – Larra Belagua (168 km) | Mountain Stage

The Vuelta visits the Pyrenees and finishes again on El Ferial in Larra Belagua. Only Remco Evenepoel (2023) has won here before, a day of redemption after his collapse the day before. The climb is irregular and exposed, making it a dangerous stage after the first rest day. This could be another ambush terrain for GC leaders.

Previous Vuelta stage winner on El Ferial (Larra Belagua):

• 2023 | Stage 14 | Remco Evenepoel

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Stage 11 – September 3, 2025 | Bilbao – Bilbao (167 km) | Hilly Stage

A brutal Basque circuit with seven categorized climbs, including two ascents of the Alto del Vivero. Bilbao hosts the race for the 45th time, a city steeped in cycling history: Igor Anton won here in 2011, Philippe Gilbert in 2019, and Marc Soler in 2022. The memory of the 2023 Tour’s grand départ—where Adam Yates beat his twin brother Simon—still lingers. This stage screams for Basque attackers to light up the race.

Previous Vuelta stage winners in Bilbao (this century):

• 2022 | Stage 5 | Marc Soler

• 2019 | Stage 12 | Philippe Gilbert

• 2016 | Stage 12 | Jens Keukeleire

• 2011 | Stage 19 | Igor Anton