The final stage of the 2025 Vuelta a España is a flat 112km ride from Alalpardo to Madrid, ending with nine laps of the familiar city-centre circuit. It’s a day of celebration for Jonas Vingegaard, who is poised to secure his first red jersey, but for the sprinters, there’s still serious business to attend to. After three gruelling weeks, this is their last opportunity – and the peloton’s last fast and furious contest before the season winds down.
2025 Vuelta a España stage 21 details
Date: Sunday 14th September
Distance: 112km
Start location: Alalpardo
Finish location: Madrid
Start time: 16:40 CEST
Finish time: 19:22 CEST
Stage 21 begins in the quiet countryside of Alalpardo, north-east of the capital. The peloton will roll south on gently undulating roads until hitting the Madrid city limits at around halfway, then enter the traditional finishing circuit. The riders will complete nine laps of the flat 5.8km loop, with the second lap hosting an intermediate sprint. Long straight boulevards and sweeping bends characterise the circuit, though some traffic islands and narrow pinch points add tension late on.
A breakaway could try their luck – as we saw in 2023, when a high-powered group stayed away despite the odds – but history overwhelmingly favours the sprinters. Last year’s finale was a time trial, but the sprint kings return to the spotlight here.
Photo Credit: GettyContenders
Jasper Philipsen has three stage wins so far and is the clear favourite for a fourth. His Alpecin-Deceuninck team has been drilled in the lead-out, and if he’s delivered to the final 200 metres in position, he’s near-unbeatable.
Mads Pedersen is likely the biggest threat. He’s been aggressive all race, winning from a breakaway and consistently placing well. Lidl-Trek could ride to control the stage and set him up for one final effort in the green jersey.
Ineos Grenadiers have several cards to play. Ben Turner won stage 4 in a sprint and could be their main option again. Filippo Ganna, Magnus Sheffield and Michał Kwiatkowski might get involved if the stage breaks open, but a bunch sprint would suit Turner best.
Ethan Vernon has been close more than once in this Vuelta, and Israel-Premier Tech could use Jake Stewart too if the finish gets messy. Both have the speed and positioning to challenge, especially if Philipsen and Pedersen are caught off guard.
Spanish fans will look to Orluis Aular and Iván García Cortina from Movistar to make an impact, while veteran Elia Viviani could be a wildcard – if he’s there at the finish and not worn down by the pace.
There’s also a chance the breakaway succeeds. Riders like Stefan Küng, Nico Denz or Gijs Leemreize may attempt a bold finale raid, but they’ll need strength and a bit of luck to hold off the sprint trains.
Prediction
Jasper Philipsen to win stage 21. With form, momentum and the fastest finish in the race, he looks set to close La Vuelta 2025 with a fourth victory.
