The second week ends with a 168km route that begins in the border town of Vegadeo and winds south through Galicia to Monforte de Lemos. After two punishing summit finishes, the terrain lets up slightly, but this is no flat transfer stage. An early category 1 climb over the Puerto da Garganta and a longer drag over Alto de Barbeitos will test the legs of the pure sprinters, and with tired bodies in the bunch, it’s not a given that this stage ends in a bunch gallop. Riders like Mads Pedersen, who can survive the climbs and still pack a punch in the sprint, will see this as a golden opportunity – but so will the breakaway specialists, especially after what we saw on this finish back in 2021.
2025 Vuelta a España stage 15 details
Date: Sunday 7th September
Distance: 168km
Start location: Vegadeo
Finish location: Monforte de Lemos
Start time: 13:05 CEST
Finish time: 17:17 CEST
The peloton sets off from Vegadeo, nestled near the northern coast, before climbing almost immediately. The Puerto da Garganta arrives just 16.5km into the stage, climbing at 5.1% for long enough to split the bunch and launch an early break. That’s followed by a long stretch of rolling terrain, including the Alto de Barbeitos – 11.9km at 3.9% – before the route gradually softens, trending downhill in the final 75km.
The finish in Monforte de Lemos is familiar territory, having hosted a similar stage in 2021. That day, Magnus Cort took the win from a large breakaway that just held off the peloton. The question today is whether teams with fast finishers can keep things tighter. With a rest day coming up and some GC riders likely to take it steady, it could go either way.
Photo Credit: GettyContenders
Mads Pedersen is the standout favourite for this stage. The Dane has been climbing brilliantly so far and is still waiting for his first win of this year’s race. With fewer pure sprinters left in contention and a team willing to commit, Lidl-Trek may be able to keep the race under control and deliver Pedersen to the line.
Ben Turner is another name to watch. The Ineos rider won stage 4 and will be confident if he can get over the climbs in touch. Teammate Filippo Ganna could also be a threat either from the peloton or a breakaway. Ethan Vernon has twice finished second in sprints so far and will hope to hang on today – the climbs are a challenge, but he’s not out of the running.
Photo Credit: GettyTom Pidcock might have an outside chance if the GC group comes to the line. His sprint has looked sharp in selective finales, and this could suit him if he’s given freedom. However, his priority may still be protecting his overall position for Q36.5.
If the breakaway does go all the way, there’s no shortage of candidates. Victor Campenaerts could be unleashed by Visma – Lease a Bike, while Marc Soler and Bruno Armirail both have the climbing ability and the engine to feature. Anders Foldager and Brieuc Rolland – who was third from the break on stage 12 – are other names to keep in mind.
Prediction
Mads Pedersen to win stage 15. The climbs are tough, but not insurmountable, and Lidl-Trek will see this as one of their best remaining opportunities.
