Stage 9 covers 160 km from Alfaro to the Valdezcaray ski station. There are no categorized climbs in the opening half. The first 30 km will be key in forming the day\u2019s breakaway, which could stay clear on the undulating terrain.<\/p>\n
A bonus sprint is scheduled in Santo Domingo de la Calzada with 30 km remaining.<\/p>\n
From there, the course turns south toward the final ascent. The climb to Valdezcaray is 13.3 km and averages around 5 per cent. However, the first 4 km is 7.5 per cent. The gradient eases after that, offering an opportunity for late attacks. If it were steeper, however, it would certainly suit race favourite Jonas VIngegaard more.<\/p>\n
Breaks or a GC day?<\/p>\n
While breakaways are definitely possible, strong climbers from the GC group could still contest the stage win. It really depends on what Vingegaard and his Visma \u2013 Lease a Bike squad have planned. Let Torstein Tr\u00e6en (Bahrain-Victorious) keep the maillot rojo a little longer? Or is it time to take it back and try and hold it until Madrid?<\/p>\n
Jasper Philipsen pulled off a late sprint victory on Stage 8 of the 2025 Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a<\/a>. The Belgian powered past Elia Viviani to claim his second stage dub of the race. The Belgian admitted the effort was tough after several mountain days. \u201cWe suffered in the mountains to get here,\u201d he said. Despite being boxed in early, Philipsen navigated the final kilometre alone and proved fastest, marking his 15th Grand Tour stage triumph.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/2025_sanluca_23_09.jpeg\")
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