Vuelta a España 2026 stage 15 preview – Distance and climbing reduced on Sunday due to extreme weather protocol

Starting in Palma del Río, on the Guadalquivir River, stage 15 heads towards the Sierra Morena, climbing the third-category Puerto de la Forestal and remaining on the original route for the opening 52 kilometres.

Latest Videos FromCyclingnews

Rather than continue north to take in the categorised climb at Alto de Villaviciosa de Córdoba, the peloton will turn east on CO-3402 towards Santa María de Trassierra for a direct track to the finish.

The second and final categorised climb will remain at Puerto Artafi (5.9km at 5.6% gradient), which crests with 37km to go.

You may like

Following the final haul of mountains points, the intermediate sprint hits 5km later and then 13.5 more kilometres of climbing before nearly 9km of descending for a flat 10km to the finish.

Córdoba has hosted stage finishes of the Vuelta 22 time before. The last time was two years ago when Wout van Aert powered to a sprint victory and Decathlon’s Ben O’Connor wore the red leader’s jersey.

The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!

This time Decathlon CMA CGM’s Felix Gall is hunting red, with Enric Mas (Movistar) in the lead by 2:06, and Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe’s Primož Roglič just another four seconds back in third overall. The stage may not have the distance and climbing for rivals to carve into Mas’ lead, but Van Aert may eye another stage victory in familiar territory.

Image 1 of 2

Modified map for stage 15 of 2026 Vuelta a España

(Image credit: La Flamme Rouge)

Modified profile of stage 15 of 2026 Vuelta a España

(Image credit: La Flamme Rouge / ProCyclingStats)