Vuelta 2026, Stage 15: A battle for the red jersey

The 15th stage of the Vuelta a España will take riders 189.7 kilometers from Palma del Río to Córdoba through the hot heart of Andalusia. The route includes about 2,800 meters of climbing and recalls the stage finish in Córdoba in 2024.

Much of the day’s racing will unfold among Andalusia’s characteristic olive groves. The climbs at Puerto de Mojón Blanco and Alto Villaviciosa de Córdoba are long enough to tire the sprinters, who are unlikely to lead the race today.

Breakaway riders could shine again, while the stage may also reveal differences among the favorites for a high overall finish. Wout van Aert, who won in Córdoba last time, is again expected to be one of the main contenders for a place in the break.

The finish comes in a picturesque location that has also served as a filming site for the well-known series Game of Thrones. The stage is expected to offer a major spectacle and could bring attacks from the general-classification favorites.