It was the last mountain stage of Vuelta a España with no changes in the podium of the general classification despite UAE’s best efforts.
Vuelta a España stage 20 2025 profile
The stage was extremely intensive and fast with Abel Balderstone spending 3068 kilojoules over 3:19h at a rate of 15.95 kj/kg/h before Bola del Mundo. Jay Vine controlled the situation for his team leader Joao Almeida who was 44 seconds behind Jonas Vingegaard. Tom Pidcock was looking to secure his first Grand Tour podium spot being 39 seconds ahead of Jai Hindley.
The strong breakaway had zero shot with Mikel Landa and Giulio Ciccone being caught with 3.5 km to go by Jay Vine, who did a huge pull until the last 3 kilometres when the steep part started. Almeida did not have enough watts to drop Vingegaard and the other GC riders, with the Dane later putting everything to an end with an acceleration and winning his third La Vuelta stage in this edition, securing a lead before the last sprint stage in Madrid.
Bola del Mundo. Puerto de Navacerrada – Spain- cycling – cyclisme – radsport – wielrennen – Jai Hindley (AUS – Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe) – Tom Pidcock (GBR Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team) – Sepp Kuss (USA Team Visma – Lease a Bike) – Joao Almeida (POR – UAE Team Emirates – XRG) pictured during 80th La Vuelta Ciclista a Espana 2025 stage 20 from Robledo de Chavela – Bola del Mundo. Puerto de Navacerrada 164,8 km – 13/09/2025 – Photo: Rafa Gomez/SCA/Cor Vos © 2025
Vingegaard on Bola del Mundo did 6.20 w/kg for 37:46. Adjusted for sea level, he did 6.63 w/kg, finishing his grand tour climbing season with another strong performance. Sepp Kuss, Jai Hindley, Tom Pidcock, Joao Almeida, Matthew Riccitello and Jay Vine all performed exceptionally on such a hard stage, all being above 627 aslp.