Stage three of the 2025 Vuelta a España serves up a short and sharp 135km test from San Maurizio Canavese to Ceres, offering punchy climbers and versatile sprinters a perfect opportunity to shine. With rolling terrain, a category 2 climb mid-stage, and a tricky uphill finish, this is a day that could favour an early breakaway or a reduced bunch sprint among the all-rounders.
2025 Vuelta a España stage 3 details
Date: Monday, 25th August
Distance: 135km
Start: San Maurizio Canavese
Finish: Ceres
Start time: 14:20 CEST
Estimated finish: 17:22 CEST
Starting in San Maurizio Canavese, the stage honours the cycling history of Giovanni Brunero, the town’s most famous son and a three-time Giro d’Italia winner of the 1920s. The peloton won’t linger long, however, as the day quickly heads into the foothills of the Graian Alps. The terrain is rolling from the outset, and although only one categorised climb is officially listed – the Puerto Issaglio, a category 2 ascent after 65.8km – the reality is far tougher.
After cresting Issaglio, the riders tackle more unclassified rises before descending towards Ceres. The intermediate sprint comes at Cuorgné after 78.5km and could tempt those hunting early points or bonus seconds. The finale itself is selective: the approach to Ceres drags steadily uphill before hitting a 2.6km rise averaging 4%. It’s an effort that suits the puncheurs, but if raced conservatively, some resilient sprinters could still be in contention.
Photo Credit: Getty
Contenders
Mads Pedersen stands out as the favourite for this finish. The Lidl-Trek rider thrives on this kind of lumpy terrain and proved his versatility with four stage wins at the Giro d’Italia, including one on a similarly punchy profile. His teammate, Giulio Ciccone, adds tactical depth after coming so close on stage two, giving the team multiple options depending on how hard the final climb is raced.
Tom Pidcock is another rider well-suited to today’s finish. The Q36.5 leader has already posted two top-10s at this Vuelta and will relish the steep ramps if the pace is high in the finale. Movistar’s Iván García Cortina could also feature if he can survive the Issaglio climb, while Orluis Aular provides a faster alternative if the finish becomes more of a reduced sprint.
Axel Zingle might’ve been a favourite too, but suffered in the crash on Stage 2. Someone like Finn Fisher-Black might also be in the hunt, but it depends on if the GC guys fire up again.
Photo Credit: Getty
Among the GC riders, João Almeida and Juan Ayuso of UAE Team Emirates, David Gaudu, Egan Bernal, and Visma | Lease a Bike’s Matteo Jorgenson and Ben Tulett could all be in the mix if the favourites stay tight to control time gaps.
Filippo Ganna is an intriguing wildcard for Ineos Grenadiers; if he makes it over Issaglio within reach, his power on the gradual rise to Ceres makes him dangerous. Ben Turner, too, could try his hand if a breakaway goes deep.
For the pure sprinters like Jasper Philipsen, Ethan Vernon, and Jake Stewart, today looks a step too far unless the tempo eases significantly over the climbs.
Prediction
Mads Pedersen is our pick to win stage three, using his combination of power and punch to outkick the climbers to the line in Ceres.