Published on : 08/27/2026
Stage 6 of La Vuelta covered 177 km between Alcossebre and Castelló, with four categorized climbs, gravel sections and steep gradients in the finale. A 16-rider breakaway animated the day before the favourites battled for the victory.
The stage got off to a fast start, with several attempts to form a breakaway. It was not until kilometre 85 that a group of 16 riders finally managed to get clear.
The peloton gradually headed towards the toughest part of the stage.
With 24 km to go, the riders tackled the final ascent of Puerto de Bartolo, featuring gravel sections and steep gradients, with the final two kilometres averaging nearly 12%. It was a terrain that allowed the favourites to battle it out before the long descent towards Castelló.
Reaction:
Gorka Gerrikagoitia:
“It was a tough stage with a particularly demanding finale. The final climb featured gravel sections and steep gradients, including the last two kilometres at an average of nearly 12%.
Our goal was to have a rider in the breakaway, even though we knew it would have little chance of making it to the finish because the favourites wanted to fight for the stage win. A group of 16 riders eventually got away at kilometre 85, but we didn’t manage to have anyone in it. We simply didn’t have the legs to follow that move.
After that, everyone tried to do their best in the finale. Our climbers weren’t having their best day today.”