Stage 19 presents the final realistic opportunity for sprinters or breakaway specialists to grab a stage before the GC battle resumes. The 162km route from Rueda to Guijuelo features no categorised climbs, and the road rarely dips below 700m in altitude as it crosses the Castile-Leon plateau. Though largely flat, the run-in rises gently into town and includes a final 3km that tilts uphill at around 3%. It’s a day where terrain alone won’t dictate the outcome – the peloton’s appetite for a chase will.
2025 Vuelta a España stage 19 details
Date: Friday 12th September
Distance: 162km
Start location: Rueda
Finish location: Guijuelo
Start time: 13:50 CEST
Finish time: 17:21 CEST
After days in the mountains and against the clock, this stage offers something more manageable – at least on paper. The route passes through Salamanca province, famous for open, exposed roads where the threat of crosswinds is always present. That, coupled with the late drag to the line, may cause the purest fast men to suffer, but it’s still one of the last best hopes for a sprint finish.
If the sprinters’ teams want it, they’ll need to work hard to keep things together. The final 3km rise slightly – not enough to call it a climb, but enough to dent the legs after a long chase. There’s also a single intermediate sprint in Salamanca at kilometre 103, offering time bonuses and points.
Photo Credit: GettyContenders
Mads Pedersen remains the man to beat. Already a stage winner in this race, the Dane excels on uphill finishes like Guijuelo and could target this either via a controlled sprint or another aggressive breakaway. Jasper Philipsen will also be in the mix if it’s a bunch finish, having already won stages 1 and 8.
Ben Turner and Ethan Vernon are among the fastest finishers still in contention. Turner showed his form back on stage 4, while Vernon has twice been second and will want to finally convert. His teammate Jake Stewart could also feature, particularly if the finish proves selective.
Photo Credit: GettyMovistar have options in Orluis Aular and Iván García Cortina, both suited to an uphill sprint. Elia Viviani is an outside shot but will need to be on strong form to contest at this point in the race.
If the breakaway goes, several strong names could feature. Marc Soler has already won a stage and has been consistently aggressive. Riders like Nico Denz, Magnus Sheffield, Michał Kwiatkowski, Gijs Leemreize, Stefan Küng, and Bob Jungels are all viable break candidates and could take advantage if the peloton hesitates.
Prediction
Mads Pedersen to win stage 19. Whether from a reduced sprint or a powerful break, he has the legs and finishing speed to take a second stage.
