The Vuelta hits another major mountain finish on stage 17, with a short but sharp 143km route from O Barco de Valdeorras to the summit of Alto de El Morredero above Ponferrada. With just one categorised climb before the final ascent, this is a day that saves all its brutality for the end. The 8.8km final climb averages a punishing 9.7%, with double-digit ramps and no chance to hide. It’s another clear opportunity for the overall contenders to go head-to-head – and a potential launchpad for a late GC shake-up ahead of the decisive final weekend.
2025 Vuelta a España stage 17 details
Date: Wednesday 10th September
Distance: 143km
Start location: O Barco de Valdeorras
Finish location: Alto de El Morredero, Ponferrada
Start time: 13:30 CEST
Finish time: 17:00 CEST
This stage begins in the wine-growing region of Valdeorras, but it won’t be a relaxing ride through the vineyards. After a lumpy but manageable opening half, the riders will face the category 3 Paso de las Traviesas mid-stage, before a long uphill drag sets up the brutal final climb. Alto de El Morredero has featured only twice in Vuelta history – most recently in 2006 – and its statistics are intimidating. The official 8.8km section averages nearly 10%, and that’s after a 10km false flat that gradually steepens.
This is a finish that strips away the bluff and the draft. Pure climbing legs will decide the order, and any weakness will be brutally exposed. While the gaps on this climb have historically been small, that could change today given the fatigue and time gaps already in play.
Contenders
All signs point once again to Jonas Vingegaard and João Almeida as the two strongest riders in this race. The Dane looked imperious on stage 16 and has already shown that sustained gradients suit him more than punchy accelerations. Stage 17’s profile plays directly to his strengths. Almeida, however, has been resilient throughout and won’t back down – UAE could again set a high tempo with support from Jay Vine, Marc Soler, and Juan Ayuso, who may also try a long-range move.
Behind them, the hierarchy on GC is starting to settle. Jai Hindley and Sepp Kuss were the best of the rest on the Angliru and will hope to limit losses or sneak a podium place. Tom Pidcock still sits third overall but may be vulnerable on such steep gradients, even if his climbing has improved dramatically. Matthew Riccitello continues to ride above expectations and starts the stage inside the top 10.
The breakaway could be given rope, especially if UAE and Visma are content to mark each other. Riders like Giulio Ciccone, Egan Bernal, and Junior Lecerf may be allowed up the road to chase a stage win. Santiago Buitrago, Lorenzo Fortunato, Kevin Vermaerke, Marco Frigo, Bruno Armirail, and Mikel Landa are other names who could thrive if the favourites hesitate.
Prediction
Jonas Vingegaard to win stage 17. With confidence high and the profile suiting his style perfectly, the Visma leader looks ready to go on the offensive again.
