The GC will reignite with force on the summit finish of 9 of the Vuelta a España after the crash and abandon of race leader Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG). Strategies will have to be updated for the contenders, who before Saturday’s stage were all racing for the remainder of the podium spots, and now they see that they have the possibility of going for the top step.
New leader Enric Mas (Movistar) will start the day in the red jersey, the three-time Vuelta runner-up holding a one-minute lead over four-time Vuelta winner Primož Roglič (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe).
"Another race starts now, and I hope we are ready for it," Mas told TNT Sports after stage 8.
The Spaniard now leads the race for the first time in his career, and might have to be on the defensive from day one, with Felix Gall (Decathlon CMA-CGM) also lying close behind, 1:11 down.
Three other riders – former Vuelta champion Sepp Kuss (Visma-Lease a Bike), Oscar Onley (Netcompany Ineos) and Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) – also lie within 2:30 of the lead.
"Tomorrow is one of the hardest stages, alongside Stage 20. We have to try to enjoy the stage and the place where it is. I know the team will do a super good job," Mas said after stage 8.
And Mas was right about Sunday's gruelling stage to the Alto de Aitana. Stage 9 features a 187.4km route with 5,166 metres of climbing. Its six ascents will be the first test post-Pogačar for the riders.
From the start in Villajoyosa on the Mediterranean coast in Alicante, the route heads inland into the mountains of the Costa Blanca. The early breakaway should escape in the opening 36 kilometres towards the first categorised climb, the Puerto de Tárbena (cat. 2, 7.2km at 5.4%).
The next 36 kilometres of undulating roads lead into a rapid succession of climbs, beginning with the difficult first-category Puerto de Miserat. The 5.2km ascent averages 10%, with brutal ramps reaching 23% around 1.5km from the start.
The climbs of Puerto de Tollos (cat. 3, 4.1km at 5.8%), Puerto de Tudons (cat. 2, 7km at 5.3%) and Puerto de Benifallim (cat. 2, 4.8km at 5.8%) follow quickly, topping with 47km to go. A time bonus is also available for the top three riders to crest Benifallim, before a descent to the valley to provide brief recovery before the finale, the Alto de Aitana. The final first-category ascent stretches for around 22km at an average of 5.8%, with ramps as steep as 13%.
Hosting its fifth summit finish, Aitana returns after a 10-year absence on the 25th anniversary of its Vuelta debut.
In 2016, in the penultimate stage, the climb was the scene of an intense battle between two men fighting for GC, Nairo Quintana and Chris Froome. Up the road, a break took the win, with Pierre Latour triumphing, as race leader Quintana put two seconds into Froome as the pair made over half a minute on Alberto Contador.
Past winners on the Aitana include Claus Michael Møller in 2001, Leonardo Piepoli in 2004, and Damiano Cunego in 2009.
Stage details
- Stage 9: La Vila Joiosa/Villajoyosa - Alto de Aitana. Costa Blanca
- Date: August 30, 2026
- Distance: 187.4km
- Elevation gain: 5,166 metres
- Start time: 12:26 CET
- Finish time: 17:14 CET
Climbs
- Puerto de Tárbena (cat. 2, 7.2km at 5.4%), km. 36.7
- Puerto de Miserat (cat. 1, 5.2km at 10%, max. 23%), km. 73.9
- Puerto de Tollos (cat. 3, 4.1km at 5.8%), km. 90.7
- Puerto de Tudons (cat. 2, 7km at 5.3%), km. 121.8
- Puerto de Benifallim (cat. 2, 4.8km at 5.8%), km. 139.9
- Alto de Aitana. Costa Blanca (cat. 1, 22km at 5.8%, max. 13%), km. 187.4
Sprints
- Benifallim, km. 134.6 - points only
- Puerto de Benifallim, km. 139.9 - time bonus for top three riders
