Vuelta a España 2025 stage 21 preview - Can anyone stop Philipsen in Madrid?

Key Information

• Date: Sunday, 14 September
• Start: 16:40 (CET)
• Expected Finish: 19:22 (CET)
• Stage type: Flat
• Stage length: 111.6km
• Elevation gain: 917m

Primož Roglič sealed the red jersey twelve months ago in Madrid via an individual time trial as Stefan Küng claimed his maiden Grand Tour stage win, but 2025 presents one final opportunity for the sprinters to shine.

However, it’s never as straightforward as it seems, with Kaden Groves winning stage 21 in 2023, but in much more than a regular bunch sprint, sprinting to victory after featuring in an elite breakaway involving Remco Evenepoel and Filippo Ganna.

Whilst there will be a familiar feel to the stage 21 procession to Madrid, one unique feature is the start location of Alalpardo, which makes its debut hosting a Vuelta a España stage departure. 

The riders will travel from the village of Alalpardo, which is slightly north of Madrid, before heading into the heartland of the capital to take on a circuit of 5.8km.

On the circuit, there are multiple U-turn sections, including shortly before the flamme rouge, meaning that positioning will be key heading towards the finish line.

Inside the final kilometre, the road is mainly straight, with a slight curve to the right within the final 500m, meaning the fight for position in the bunch and leadout trains could be well contested in the finale.

Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) has earned the accolade of the sprinter of the 2025 Vuelta with three stage wins in the Belgian’s pocket. The 27-year-old will be the favourite for victory in the capital, and has the strongest leadout to boast with Edward Planckaert and Jonas Rickaert particularly key.

Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) may not have won a bunch sprint in this edition so far, but the Dane wiped the floor with the competition in the points classification. However, in the green jersey, Pedersen will no doubt be looking to end the race in style and follow in the footsteps of Kaden Groves (Alpecin-Deceuninck), who won the last road stage in Madrid in 2023 whilst wearing green. It's plausible that Pedersen could do so in the style of Groves, in a combative style if it is required, as the Dane has illustrated time and time again that he doesn't mind getting his hands dirty in order to win.

Ethan Vernon (Israel-Premier Tech) has come close to a maiden Grand Tour stage win at this Vuelta with two runners-up spots behind Philipsen. The British rider wasn’t in the best position to sprint on stage 19, ending in 8th, so it’s difficult to gauge from this how Vernon is holding up in terms of fatigue. However, 15th place on stage 15’s individual time trial indicates that Vernon is still in good form and capable of causing a minor upset to Philipsen if he gets it right in Madrid.

Ben Turner (Ineos Grenadiers) delivered another solid performance on stage 19 to place 5th, his 2nd best result of this Vuelta. With many tired legs in the peloton, the British rider can’t be ruled out of at least a stage podium here. Perhaps with Filippo Ganna (Ineos Grenadiers) alongside Turner, the British team could look to go on the offensive before the sprint to try and catch out the others.

Arne Marit (Intermarché-Wanty) and Madis Mihkels (EF Education-EasyPost) haven’t made the biggest impressions on the race so far in the sprints, with 3rd and 5th their best results, but both have gone under the radar and have got what it takes in the locker to compete here in Madrid.

Orluis Aular (Movistar) and Jenthe Biermans (Arkéa-B&B Hotels) are two other riders who are also performing well in the sprints and should be involved in the mix-up once more.  

Other riders to watch out for include: Ivo Oliveira (UAE Team Emirates-XRG), Bryan Coquard and Stanisław Aniołkowski (Cofidis), Elia Viviani (Lotto), Thibaud Gruel (Groupama-FDJ), Nicolò Buratti (Bahrain-Victorious), Gianmarco Garafoli (Soudal-QuickStep), Tim van Dijke (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe), and Iván García Cortina (Movistar).

Vuelta a España stage 21 favourites

⭐️⭐️⭐️ Jasper Philipsen
⭐️⭐️ Mads Pedersen, Ethan Vernon
⭐️ Ben Turner, Orluis Aular, Jenthe Biermans, Arne Marit, Madis Mihkels, Ivo Oliveira, Stanisław Aniołkowski

Here is a guide on how to watch the 2025 Vuelta a España live. Below you can find the broadcasters for the United Kingdom, United States, Canada and Australia. 

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