- Stage 10: Alcaraz - Elche de la Sierra
- Date: September 1, 2026
- Distance: 184.7km
- Elevation gain: 2,991m
- Start time: 12:45 CEST
- Finish time: 17:18 CEST
Stage details
The Vuelta a Epsaña peloton will return from its first rest day to face a transition stage in the province of Albacete, which is expected to see the overall battle set on the back burner to simmer while the break riders and sprinters’ teams take their chance.
The new GC order following the departure of the injured Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) settled into on stage 9, with Enric Mas (Movistar) enhancing his hold on the leader's red jersey. The hilly terrain will also give other types of riders a chance to test out the new dynamic.
Starting in Alcaraz, stage 10 heads south to the Sierra de Alcaraz, via the uncategorized climb of Puerto de Las Crucetas with pitches around 8% cresting 23 kilometres into the 184.7km stage.
Vuelta live
- Vuelta a España stage 10 LIVE – Live updates from a sprinter-friendly stage
From there, the route works its way through the mountainous Sierra del Segura, climbing Puerto del Peralejo, Puerto de Aýna and Puerto de Socovos. The undulating terrain continues for 21.5 kilometres to the finish in Elche de la Sierra, known worldwide for their sawdust carpets.
It's a largely uphill run through the final five kilometres, which, if the break hasn't managed to stay away, could play into the hands of a rider like Matthew Brennan (Visma-Lease a Bike), who has already won challenging finished from the bunch twice this edition.
Alternatively perhaps the Classics style profile could lean toward his teammate and points leader, Wout van Aert, instead or maybe Lidl-Trek's Mads Pedersen.
Given what's ahead later this week, the one thing that can be counted on is that the riders and teams who favour flat to hilly terrain will go all out to make the most of the next two days of racing.
Climbs
- Puerto del Peralejo (cat. 3, 5.2km at 4.3%), km. 47.6
- Puerto de Aýna (cat. 3, 7.7km at 4%), km. 86.3
- Puerto de Socovos (cat. 3, 9.7km at 3.5%), km. 163.2
Sprints
- Hellín, km. 125 - points and time bonus
