Vuelta a España 2025 Stage 6 Preview & Betting Tips

Weather: Not great – low 20˚s C and a strong chance of thundery showers.

Key climbs: Four classified ascents. Riders face the Collada de Sentigosa (11.4km at 4.1%) straight from the flag, followed immediately by the long grind of the Collada de Toses (24.3km at 3.5%). After 60km of downhill and valley roads into Andorra, the stage finishes with two sharp tests: the Alto de La Comella (4.2km at 8%) and the first-category summit finish at Pal (9.6km at 6.3%).

Race dynamics: With the Sentigosa climb straight from the start, expect strong climbers outside of GC contention to make the day’s breakaway. The final climb to Pal is not the hardest, but much depends on how aggressively it’s raced. The first 3km average just 5%, followed by a punishing kilometre at 9.5% – the most selective section. After a brief easing, the road ramps back to 8% for 3km before a flatter final 500m to the line.

Stage suits: GC favourites and climbing specialists.

Breakaway chances: 50/50 – the profile gives scope for a strong group to establish itself early. If the leaders’ teams (notably Visma | Lease a Bike and UAE Team Emirates-XRG) don’t target the stage win, the breakaway could go all the way.

Likely scenario: A sizeable group moves clear. Visma set tempo into La Comella and Pal, where Jonas Vingegaard is likely to test his rivals. The gradients suggest several GC contenders could hold on, setting up a reduced-group sprint to the line. If the break survives, we’ll have two races in one.

Stage 6 Contenders

From the GC favourites:

Jonas Vingegaard (11/4; 3.75) – In the red jersey and the big favourite. The final climb isn’t ideal for him, but even in a sprint he can compete.

Giulio Ciccone (10/1; 11.0) – Targeting stages and the mountains jersey, but still a GC threat for now. Fast enough to win from a select group.

David Gaudu (20/1; 21.0) – Returning to form after a tough season; another rider with a strong finishing kick.

Juan Ayuso (40/1; 41.0) and João Almeida (40/1; 41.0) – UAE duo will be buoyed after the time trial. Their leadership balance could become clearer here.

Tom Pidcock (40/1; 41.0) – Needs to prove he can survive the longer climbs. If he does, his explosive finish makes him dangerous.

Santiago Buitrago (66/1; 67.0) – Encouraging form despite TTT losses; seventh on stage 3 suggests he’s climbing well and could be going under the radar.

Potential breakaway threats:

Jay Vine (20/1; 21.0) and Marc Soler (33/1; 34.0) – Possible UAE options, though Soler’s proximity on GC may see him marked and Vine doesn’t look at his best.

Lorenzo Fortunato (22/1; 23.0) – In fine form after the Vuelta a Burgos. A danger if allowed up the road, but his GC position may prevent his freedom.

Pablo Castrillo (28/1; 29.0) – Double stage winner in last year’s Vuelta; less visible since moving to Movistar but still a strong breakaway card.

Marco Frigo (40/1; 41.0) and Matthew Riccitello (80/1; 81.0) – Solid Israel–Premier Tech options. Frigo got a breakthrough win at the Tour of the Alps; Riccitello looked good in Poland.

Léo Bisiaux (50/1; 51.0) – Rising French climber. Strong at Burgos with a stage win and third overall; a live outsider if he makes the move.

Stage 6 Verdict

The first true mountain test of this Vuelta. We may not see huge GC gaps, but the day should reveal plenty about current form. Both a breakaway win and a GC showdown are plausible.

• Favourites: Giulio Ciccone looks ready to challenge again after being narrowly beaten by Vingegaard earlier in the race. Santiago Buitrago also looks a value pick at his odds.

• Breakaway picks: Pablo Castrillo could rediscover last year’s Vuelta spark, Marco Frigo has the power to raid, and Léo Bisiaux is hard to ignore given recent results.

Stage 6 Bets

• Main Pick: Giulio Ciccone 1pt win @10/1

• Value Bets: Pablo Castrillo 1pt win and 3 places @28/1 (5th); Marco Frigo 1pt win and 3 places @40/1

• Long shots: Léo Bisiaux 0.5pts win and 3 places @50/1; Santiago Buitrago 0.5pts win and 3 places@66/1

Posted 2042 BST Wed 27th Aug 2025

Prices quoted are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change

Stage 6 Result