The 2026 Vuelta a España continues on Tuesday 25 August with a short but potentially explosive Stage 4 around Andorra la Vella, where the general classification riders finally get the mountain test that Monday’s cancelled Font-Romeu stage failed to deliver.
Stage 4 covers just 104.8km but contains three Category 1 climbs before the late Category 3 ascent of Alto de La Comella. The official neutralised start is scheduled for 14:49 local time, or 13:49 BST, with the finish expected between approximately 16:30 and 16:38 BST depending on the speed of the race.
For UK viewers, live coverage of the Vuelta is available through TNT Sports and HBO Max, while DMAX provides the free-to-air highlights option. Our full Vuelta a España 2026 UK viewing guide covers the television and streaming options across the three weeks.
Photo Credit: GettyWhat time does Vuelta a España Stage 4 start?
The key Stage 4 timings for UK viewers are:
| Detail | Local time | UK time |
|---|---|---|
| Neutralised start | 14:49 | 13:49 BST |
| Port d’Envalira | 15:37-15:42 | 14:37-14:42 BST |
| Collada de Beixalis | 16:20-16:30 | 15:20-15:30 BST |
| Col de Ordino | 16:52-17:06 | 15:52-16:06 BST |
| Alto de La Comella | 17:18-17:34 | 16:18-16:34 BST |
| Expected finish | 17:30-17:38 | 16:30-16:38 BST |
The timetable is based on projected average speeds of between 37km/h and 41km/h, so the later climbs can shift considerably depending on how aggressively the stage is raced.
Anyone who only wants to watch the decisive part should aim to tune in by around 15:15 BST. That should catch the approach to Collada de Beixalis and leave well over an hour for the sequence of climbs most likely to shape the GC battle.
For a complete look at the terrain and likely tactical scenarios, our Vuelta a España 2026 Stage 4 preview breaks down the Andorra route in detail.
How to watch Vuelta a España Stage 4 live in the UK
UK viewers can watch Stage 4 live through TNT Sports, while the race is also available to stream through HBO Max.
TNT Sports remains the main television home of the Vuelta in Britain, while HBO Max is the streaming option for viewers who previously used Discovery+ for Warner Bros. Discovery’s cycling coverage.
The precise TNT Sports channel can vary from stage to stage depending on the wider sporting schedule, so viewers using linear television should check the day’s listings before coverage begins.
There is no free live broadcast of the complete stage in the UK, but DMAX carries free-to-air Vuelta highlights, making it possible to follow the day’s major attacks, stage result and GC changes without a live subscription.
Photo Credit: GettyWhy Stage 4 is worth watching from early on
There is a temptation with a 104.8km stage to assume the important racing will be compressed into the final climb. In Andorra, that could be a mistake.
Port d’Envalira begins after less than two kilometres of racing and climbs for 23.3km at an average of 5.1%. Its summit comes after only 25.1km, at an altitude of 2,409 metres, meaning there is essentially no conventional flat opening to the stage.
The peloton then descends before tackling Collada de Beixalis, 6.5km at 8.5%, one of the steepest sustained climbs of the day. Its summit comes after 59.3km, leaving plenty of racing afterwards but little opportunity for anyone dropped to recover comfortably.
Next comes the Col de Ordino, 9.9km at 7%, before the shorter Alto de La Comella provides one final launching point close to the finish.
The full Vuelta a España 2026 route guide shows just how unusual Stage 4 is within the wider three-week race. It is one of the shortest road stages, but also one of the most concentrated mountain days.
Stage 4 becomes more important after the Font-Romeu cancellation
Tuesday’s stage now carries greater significance following the cancellation of Stage 3.
The Font-Romeu finish was supposed to provide the first proper indication of where Tadej Pogačar and the other GC contenders stood on sustained climbing terrain. Instead, severe hail brought the race to a halt on the Col de Mont-Louis and the stage was eventually cancelled.
There were therefore no finishing times at Font-Romeu and no GC gaps created by the planned uphill finish.
Our Stage 3 race report covers how the weather deteriorated and why the race could not resume.
For anyone wondering whether Font-Romeu will simply be fitted into the race later, the answer is no. The stage was cancelled rather than postponed, as explained in our guide to whether the cancelled Font-Romeu stage will be rescheduled.
The Vuelta instead moves directly into Andorra with the existing classifications intact.
When should you start watching Stage 4?
There are three useful entry points depending on how much of the stage you can watch.
Around 14:30 BST: This should catch the closing kilometres of Port d’Envalira. It is the best option for anyone wanting almost the complete mountain story, including the formation and reshaping of the breakaway.
Around 15:15 BST: Probably the strongest compromise for most viewers. Collada de Beixalis should be approaching and the GC teams are likely to become much more prominent.
Around 15:50 BST: This should put viewers into the Col de Ordino section and cover virtually all of the decisive final hour, including Alto de La Comella and the descent into Andorra la Vella.
The short distance makes an early move more plausible than on a conventional 170km mountain stage. Teams can afford to race more aggressively because there is so little road to manage, while anyone isolated on Beixalis still has two significant climbing sections remaining.
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Photo Credit: Sprint Cycling Agency
What time will the decisive climbs happen?
The official timetable gives a useful guide to when each major climb should be reached in UK time.
Port d’Envalira: approximately 14:37-14:42 BST
At 23.3km long, this is more likely to reduce the peloton and help establish the day’s tactical shape than produce an outright GC attack.
Collada de Beixalis: approximately 15:20-15:30 BST
This is where the stage should become much more serious. At 6.5km and 8.5%, it is steep enough for teams to begin isolating rivals.
Col de Ordino: approximately 15:52-16:06 BST
With 26.1km remaining at the summit, Ordino provides the clearest opportunity for a major long-range GC move.
Alto de La Comella: approximately 16:18-16:34 BST
The final categorised ascent is only 3.9km at 5.9%, but its summit comes just 4.8km from the finish. Any gaps created here could be extremely difficult to close before Andorra la Vella.
Vuelta a España Stage 4 viewing details at a glance
- Date: Tuesday 25 August 2026
- Route: Andorra la Vella to Andorra la Vella
- Distance: 104.8km
- Stage type: Mountain
- Neutralised start: 13:49 BST
- Port d’Envalira: Around 14:37-14:42 BST
- Collada de Beixalis: Around 15:20-15:30 BST
- Col de Ordino: Around 15:52-16:06 BST
- Alto de La Comella: Around 16:18-16:34 BST
- Expected finish: Around 16:30-16:38 BST
- UK live television: TNT Sports
- UK streaming: HBO Max
- Free UK highlights: DMAX
For most viewers, 15:15 BST is the best time to start watching. That should catch the race just before Collada de Beixalis and cover the entire decisive sequence through Ordino, La Comella and the finish in Andorra la Vella.
