{"id":2114467,"date":"2026-08-27T10:44:33","date_gmt":"2026-08-27T07:44:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2114467"},"modified":"2026-08-27T10:44:33","modified_gmt":"2026-08-27T07:44:33","slug":"vuelta-a-espana-stage-6-live-strong-break-finally-gets-away-as-pogacar-and-uae-control-behind-gravel-climb-looming","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2114467","title":{"rendered":"Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a stage 6 LIVE \u2013 Strong break finally gets away as Poga\u010dar and UAE control behind, gravel climb looming"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k4tYprujEmFKEU3Da2o7h6-1024-80.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none upnext-article-divider\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 1 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2YFiENWeo62WR9ixcZRWZS.jpg\" alt=\"FONT-ROMEU, FRANCE - AUGUST 24: Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia and UAE Team Emirates XRG - Red Leader Jersey competes during the La Vuelta - 81st Tour of Spain 2026, Stage 3 a 174km from Gruissan - Aude to Font Romeu 1941m \/ #UCIWT \/ on August 24, 2026 in Font Romeu, France. (Photo by Tim de Waele\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] w-20 h-20 object-cover flex-none rounded-lg\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-4 h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                                    <span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">1<\/span>\n                                <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    As it happened: Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a stage 3 comes to a premature end\n                                <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none upnext-article-divider\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 2 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vETsTHza7k737YsxL2SqkR.jpg\" alt=\"ANDORRA LA VELLA, ANDORRA - AUGUST 25: Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia and UAE Team Emirates XRG - Red Leader Jersey attacks in the breakaway during the La Vuelta - 81st Tour of Spain 2026, Stage 4 a 104.8km from Andorra la Vella to Andorra la Vella \/ #UCIWT \/ on August 25, 2026 in Andorra la Vella, Andorra. (Photo by Tim de Waele\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] w-20 h-20 object-cover flex-none rounded-lg\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-[18px] h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                                    <span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">2<\/span>\n                                <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    As it happened: Domination on stage 4 of the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a with a long-range solo move in Andorra\n                                <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 3 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CPxWbXXnNwNbQkNsPJbekJ.jpg\" alt=\"MANOSQUE, MONACO - AUGUST 23: A general view of Matthew Brennan of Great Britain and Team Visma | Lease a Bike, Mads Pedersen of Denmark and Team Lidl - Trek sprint at finish line during the La Vuelta - 81st Tour of Spain 2026, Stage 2 a 214.3km from Monaco to Manosque 408m \/ #UCIWT \/ on August 23, 2026 in Manosque, Monaco. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] w-20 h-20 object-cover flex-none rounded-lg\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-[18px] h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                                    <span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">3<\/span>\n                                <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    As it happened: British sensation steals the show in first road stage at La Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a 2026\n                                <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nlive-article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero hero-live news-article widget-hero widget-hero-fter-review\">\n<div class=\"clear-both widget-header\">\n<\/div>\n<div data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\" class=\"news-article\">\n<div class=\"header-container\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<li>\nVuelta a Espa\u00f1a\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<header>\n<div class=\"header-sub-container\">\n<h1 class=\"review-title-long live-report\">Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a stage 6 LIVE \u2013 Strong break finally gets away as Poga\u010dar and UAE control behind, gravel climb looming<\/h1>\n<h2>177.4km stage from Alcossebre to Castell\u00f3 features four categorised climbs, the last of which features a gravel stretch<br \/>\n<\/h2>\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>Live-reports<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\">\n<span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nMatilda Price <\/span><br \/>\n<span class=\"inline-block h-3 my-auto border-l border-solid vds-simple-byline__divider max-sm:hidden\"><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\">\n<span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nLast updated<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T13:28:14Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n27 August 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><br \/>\n<\/span>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<nav class=\"socialite-widget box less-space \" data-contexturl=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/live\/vuelta-a-espana-stage-6-live-fireworks-expected-as-gravel-and-steep-climbs-on-the-menu-in-spain\/\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"socialite\">\n<ul class=\"socialite-widget-ul\">\n<li class=\"socialite-widget-item social-facebook\">\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"socialite-widget-item social-twitter\">\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"socialite-widget-item social-pinterest\">\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"socialite-widget-item social-email\">\n<p><i class=\"icon icon-envelope-solid\"><\/i><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>    <span class=\"text-[color:var(--comment-count-text-color,inherit)]\"><span>1<\/span> <span class=\"visible hidden sm:inline-block\">Comment<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n    <span class=\"text-[color:var(--comment-count-text-color,inherit)] hidden visible sm:inline-block\">Join the conversation<\/span><\/p>\n<\/nav>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-start text-left\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[color:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit)] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<figure>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k4tYprujEmFKEU3Da2o7h6.jpg\" alt=\"CASTELLO, SPAIN - AUGUST 27: (L-R) Pavel Sivakov of France and UAE Team Emirates XRG, Andreas Leknessund of Norway and Team Uno-X Mobility and Callum Thornley of Great Britain and Team Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe compete during the La Vuelta - 81st Tour of Spain 2026, Stage 6 a 177.4km stage from Alcossebre to Castello \/ #UCIWT \/ on August 267 2026 in Castello, Spain. (Photo by Tim de Waele\/Getty Images)\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] block-image-ads hero-image w-full\" data-component-name=\"Image\"><figcaption class=\"font-article-copy text-(--image--text--color) font-article-copy mt-2\"> <span class=\"caption-text\">The peloton at the start of stage 6<\/span><br \/>\n<span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: \u00a9 Getty Images)<\/span><br \/>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo\" class=\"contents\" data-only-inline=\"1\">\n<div class=\"visible flex flex-row flex-nowrap sticky max-lg:-ml-5 top-[var(--site-header-height,60px)] sm:top-0 z-[9994] w-screen lg:w-full h-[50px] bg-white p-0 mb-5 border-neutral-200 border border-solid\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Variants:Inline\" data-analytics-id=\"sticky-nav\" id=\"sticky-nav--inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"sticky-nav\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-row w-full h-full overflow-x-scroll overflow-y-hidden tracking-normal overscroll-x-contain\" id=\"sticky-nav__scroll-container\">\n<span class=\"pl-4 my-auto text-base font-semibold font-article-heading lg:pl-3 lg:text-sm whitespace-nowrap uppercase\">Jump To:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-row w-auto border-y-0\">\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\nborder-b-[3px] border-b-(--jumpto-underline-color) border-solid font-semibold \" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Race Situation<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Have your say<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Neutral roll-out<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Official start<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Climb: Puerto de la Serratella<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>140km to go<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>120km to go<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Climb: Coll de la Bandereta (4.6km at 6.7%)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>110km to go<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>95km to go<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Crash<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"pinned-content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-pinned-content widget-contentparsed-pinned-content widget-pinned news-article widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-default widget-content-parsed-live-feed \">\n<div class=\" article-body \">\n<div class>\n<a id=\"elk-a48ec1aa-98ca-11f1-9b5a-07e4f317248f\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-a48ec236-98ca-11f1-bd6f-7fe0035e99e1\"><strong>Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a 2026 &#8211; Everything you need to know<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a 2026 &#8211; Route<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-article-category=\"pro-cycling\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"ecom-root\"><\/aside>\n<p id=\"elk-a48ec236-98ca-11f1-bd6f-7fe0035e99e1-2\"><strong>Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a 2026 &#8211; Contenders<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a 2026 &#8211; stage 6 preview<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>How to watch the 2026 Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a<\/strong><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-a48ec2b8-98ca-11f1-b3d3-9bb9cfecc8f2\"><strong>For unbeatable coverage across road, gravel and tech, subscribe to Cyclingnews. You&#8217;ll get comprehensive race coverage of La Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a, subscriber-exclusive analysis from our expert columnists, in-depth features and industry-leading tech insight. Plus, the Cyclingnews app lets you follow the action wherever you go! <\/strong><u><strong>Join today.<\/strong><\/u><\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-race-situation\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-race-situation\"><span>Race Situation<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><a id=\"elk-a48ec3bc-98ca-11f1-9d5f-c313538f1316\"><\/a><a id=\"elk-have-your-say\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-have-your-say\"><span>Have your say<\/span><\/h3>\n<div id=\"elk-985b69dc-a203-11f1-b85c-d9e27d06070c\">\n<div class=\"kwizly-quiz kwizly-W0RdKX\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"live-feed-multipage\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-live-feed-multipage widget-contentparsed-live-feed-multipage news-article widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-default multipage widget-content-parsed-live-feed \">\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\" article-body \">\n<div id=\"ad-unit-1\" class=\"ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div data-component-name=\"Article:LiveReportUpdater\">\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T13:28:14+00:00\">2026-08-27T13:28:14.099Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-28450ed8-a21b-11f1-88f1-1741c3e51e47\">Here&#8217;s the latest from the road.<\/p>\n<div class=\"see-more see-more--clipped\" id=\"elk-2092966722483441986\">\n<figure>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet hawk-ignore\" data-lang=\"en\" cite=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/cantworkitout\/status\/2092966722483441986\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">\ud83c\udfc1- 83 km | Stage 6\ufe0f\u20e3 &#8211; Etapa 6\ufe0f\u20e3 | #LaVuelta26\ud83d\udcaa A group of 16 riders including van Aert, Buitrago and Bilbao is working hard at the front of the race, as @TeamEmiratesUAE are setting the pace behind\ud83d\udca5 Un grupo de 16 hombres con van Aert, Buitrago o Bilbao es cabeza de carrera\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/LvkOo9lgZhAugust 27, 2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/figure>\n<div class=\"see-more__filter\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T13:24:59+00:00\">2026-08-27T13:24:59.931Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-crash\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-crash\"><span>Crash<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-ba8c1602-a21a-11f1-a504-370839badb55\">A few riders have just come off at the back of the peloton, mainly Tudor riders, three of them hit the deck. Including birthday boy Marco Brenner \ud83d\ude41<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T13:23:02+00:00\">2026-08-27T13:23:02.910Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-6ff9d002-a21a-11f1-89f5-41d67a05e519\">Van Aert is setting the pace on the front of the break to pull out the gap towards a minute and a half.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T13:15:52+00:00\">2026-08-27T13:15:52.764Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-6e3ddd86-a219-11f1-a0c6-4362a56dfa17\">The 16 leaders nearly have a minute&#8217;s lead now, with UAE on the front of the peloton. I <em>think <\/em>they&#8217;re trying to let the group go and shut down any more chasing, rather than chase themselves&#8230; Let&#8217;s see.<\/p>\n<p>If this gap can go out over a minute and a half that would be good for the break. Seems to be settling down.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-article-category=\"pro-cycling\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"ecom-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T13:14:58+00:00\">2026-08-27T13:14:58.217Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-95km-to-go\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-95km-to-go\"><span>95km to go<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-4dbabb1a-a219-11f1-961d-232ed5903246\">Ah the reason Poga\u010dar is getting in the mix is also because Oscar Onley is following moves off the front of the peloton. GC action happening already&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>Anyone hoping for a straightforward breakaway day, you can forget about that!<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-article-category=\"pro-cycling\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"ecom-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T13:08:55+00:00\">2026-08-27T13:08:55.154Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-753fb5a6-a218-11f1-9e87-4d09794614c1\">Gosh now even Poga\u010dar is getting involved behind. UAE would obviously rather that a Decathlon-free break got away.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T13:08:07+00:00\">2026-08-27T13:08:07.619Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-58ea0636-a218-11f1-89c1-7360a2f526a2\">It&#8217;s Decathlon CMA CGM who are really still pushing it behind. They don&#8217;t have a rider in the break so they&#8217;re not happy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T13:07:09+00:00\">2026-08-27T13:07:09.718Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-36a2fb3c-a218-11f1-8a27-a1ac1ddba474\">And the chasers have just caught the four leaders, so that should be 16 in the lead now.<\/p>\n<p>Behind, there&#8217;s a bit of disagreement in the bunch over whether they&#8217;re happy to let this go or not. So they&#8217;re only around 45 seconds ahead of the peloton.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-article-category=\"pro-cycling\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"ecom-root\"><\/aside>\n<p id=\"elk-36a2fb3c-a218-11f1-8a27-a1ac1ddba474-2\">If the teams in the bunch say &#8216;OK, let it go&#8217; then this will be our move of the day (finally) but if even one team keeps pushing on, this could continue&#8230;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T13:05:06+00:00\">2026-08-27T13:05:06.353Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-ece3a1f4-a217-11f1-b7eb-6162e4ea1231\">Buitrago, Bennett, Kron and Leemreize are leading, with a fairly big chasing group \u2013 that includes Wout van Aert \u2013 within 20 seconds as we head into the final 100km.<\/p>\n<p>Out the back, Mads Pedersen has been distanced.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-article-category=\"pro-cycling\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"ecom-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T12:53:58+00:00\">2026-08-27T12:53:58.999Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-110km-to-go\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-110km-to-go\"><span>110km to go<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-5f36f2a8-a216-11f1-b900-45cf7e56a3af\">The riders are over the top of that climb, with the next wave of attacks being launched. It&#8217;s George Bennett (NSN), Gijs Leemreize (Picnic PostNL), Andreas Kron (Uno-X Mobility), and Santiago Buitrago (Bahrain Victorious) who are 14 seconds up the road, but ominously, UAE Team Emirates-XRG have come to the front to pace.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T12:45:28+00:00\">2026-08-27T12:45:28.848Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-2f110a56-a215-11f1-87a2-b15c916ba5c8\">As I typed, that latest group has also been pulled back. It&#8217;s been brutal right from the start and the longer this fight for the breakaway goes, the more likely it becomes that UAE will start pacing for Poga\u010dar with a third stage win on offer&#8230;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T12:42:55+00:00\">2026-08-27T12:42:55.899Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-climb-coll-de-la-bandereta-4-6km-at-6-7\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-climb-coll-de-la-bandereta-4-6km-at-6-7\"><span>Climb: Coll de la Bandereta (4.6km at 6.7%)<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-d40274b0-a214-11f1-b35b-2fa3efddf4a5\">There&#8217;s a new move forming towards the front of the race with more than 15 riders getting ahead of the peloton. The gaps are still so tight for the moment, with the attacking far from over.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T12:40:57+00:00\">2026-08-27T12:40:57.513Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-8d66eca2-a214-11f1-b1ad-87a01509e51b\">With still no breakaway and approaching the foot of the next climb, more attacks are being launched in anticipation of the Coll de la Bandereta (4.6km at 6.7%).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T12:36:01+00:00\">2026-08-27T12:36:01.865Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-120km-to-go\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-120km-to-go\"><span>120km to go<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-dd27adfe-a213-11f1-9aef-d50c3d3d2ff6\">Unfortunately, Josh Tarling (Netcompany Ineos) has abandoned the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a. We will update with more information once there is communication from the team.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T12:33:57+00:00\">2026-08-27T12:33:57.320Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-93046ece-a213-11f1-889d-0971b08e2830\"><strong>KOM results from Puerto de la Serratella:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>1st: Santiago Buitrago (Bahrain Victorious) \u2013 5 points<br \/>2nd: Lorenzo Fortunato (XDS Astana) \u2013 3 points<br \/>3rd: Stefan K\u00fcng (Groupama-FDJ United) \u2013 1 point<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-article-category=\"pro-cycling\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"ecom-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T12:23:31+00:00\">2026-08-27T12:23:31.468Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-1dc8fab8-a212-11f1-ae90-afd6d0ba413c\">Tadej Poga\u010dar has been staying hidden in the bunch so far&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>Could he be hoping to give this stage to the break, or is he just biding is time? According to our poll, most of you think he&#8217;s going to win today!<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-1dc8fb26-a212-11f1-8954-a1391abcd546\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k4tYprujEmFKEU3Da2o7h6.jpg\" alt=\"CASTELLO, SPAIN - AUGUST 27: (L-R) Pavel Sivakov of France and UAE Team Emirates XRG, Andreas Leknessund of Norway and Team Uno-X Mobility and Callum Thornley of Great Britain and Team Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe compete during the La Vuelta - 81st Tour of Spain 2026, Stage 6 a 177.4km stage from Alcossebre to Castello \/ #UCIWT \/ on August 267 2026 in Castello, Spain. (Photo by Tim de Waele\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-article-category=\"pro-cycling\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"ecom-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T12:19:37+00:00\">2026-08-27T12:19:37.750Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-92885b38-a211-11f1-94f1-a7c2b125f145\">We&#8217;ve crested the top of the climb and still no break.<\/p>\n<p>Will share the KOM results when we get them.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-article-category=\"pro-cycling\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"ecom-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T12:16:32+00:00\">2026-08-27T12:16:32.701Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-243a52f8-a211-11f1-b9a9-4f91519369c8\"><strong>Enjoying our live race coverage? Subscribe to Cyclingnews for an all-access pass to our unrivalled reporting of WorldTour racing, bike tech and exclusive in-depth features. Plus, access to the Cyclingnews app to follow the action on-the-go!<\/strong><br \/><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"kiosq-main-layer kiosq-button-layer\"><strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"kiosq-main-layer-container\">\n<div class=\"kiosq-login-button rowCenter\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T12:13:09+00:00\">2026-08-27T12:13:09.402Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-ab0b3730-a210-11f1-85fe-f7f139c76ea8\">Beautiful landscapes in Valencia.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-ab0b37a8-a210-11f1-b91c-21c740a1e182\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EnzV7EjMrcf8oeyXrhPmVX.jpg\" alt=\"CASTELLO, SPAIN - AUGUST 27: A general view of the peloton climbing to the Puerto de la Serratella (844m) during the La Vuelta - 81st Tour of Spain 2026, Stage 6 a 177.4km stage from Alcossebre to Castello \/ #UCIWT \/ on August 267 2026 in Castello, Spain. (Photo by Tim de Waele\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T12:10:06+00:00\">2026-08-27T12:10:06.051Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-3ddea6c4-a210-11f1-b540-73911decd3b3\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"biggest-fight-for-the-break-yet-2\">Biggest fight for the break yet<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-3ddea732-a210-11f1-83a9-e505294da54c\">Now, I&#8217;ve been on holiday until today, but the official Vuelta channel reliably tells me that &#8220;this is the most intense battle for the break so far&#8221; at this year&#8217;s race.<\/p>\n<p>It certainly has been a long one, with an average speed of just over 41kph for the first hour.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-article-category=\"pro-cycling\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"ecom-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T12:08:43+00:00\">2026-08-27T12:08:43.698Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-140km-to-go\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-140km-to-go\"><span>140km to go<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-0cadde80-a210-11f1-ab3e-89a9efc8ac14\">Nearly 40km done and we&#8217;re still breakless.<\/p>\n<p>Will it go before the top of this climb? Sounds like a bigger group has just clipped off the front, and they&#8217;ll be hoping that size works in their favour&#8230;<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-article-category=\"pro-cycling\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"ecom-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T12:06:54+00:00\">2026-08-27T12:06:54.254Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-cb65cc94-a20f-11f1-b9fd-8fe9cdb618aa\">Fairly usual suspects in terms of what teams are controlling at the front of the peloton: UAE, Decathlon, Red Bull.<\/p>\n<p>Pinarello-Q36.5 seem particularly keen to get in the break today, they&#8217;ve had a few riders on the attack already.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-article-category=\"pro-cycling\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"ecom-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T12:02:20+00:00\">2026-08-27T12:02:20.880Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-2878d648-a20f-11f1-9a66-771ca363debb\">Attackers caught.<\/p>\n<p>The battle for the break will continue on this climb&#8230;<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-article-category=\"pro-cycling\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"ecom-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T11:59:46+00:00\">2026-08-27T11:59:46.078Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-cc2a2a5e-a20e-11f1-bfda-db1922bc0bb6\">Walter Calzoni (Pinarello-Q36.5) has just joined the leaders to make it three in front, but they&#8217;re leading by less than 15 seconds halfway up the climb.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T11:54:23+00:00\">2026-08-27T11:54:23.642Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-climb-puerto-de-la-serratella-14-1km-at-4\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-climb-puerto-de-la-serratella-14-1km-at-4\"><span>Climb: Puerto de la Serratella (14.1km at 4%)<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-0bf2cdb8-a20e-11f1-b418-0bc938d7bb9f\">The bunch are now on the first categorised climb of the day. It&#8217;s the longest at 14.1km, but the average gradient is only 4%, so relatively tame compared to what&#8217;s to come this afternoon.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T11:51:06+00:00\">2026-08-27T11:51:06.359Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-966fbac4-a20d-11f1-a82c-0f08901de866\">If you&#8217;re looking for something to read whilst you wait for the live coverage to start, may I recommend this in-depth feature about Team Amani, and their bold \u2013 but realistic \u2013 plans to make it to the Tour de France Femmes in 2028.<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/icGMES75fiCgrAKtCtxdJZ.png\" alt=\"Haftu Eyerusalem Reda of Ethiopia and Team Amani prior to the 25th Durango - Durango Emakumeen Saria 2026 (Photo by Szymon Gruchalski\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] card__image\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"card__content\">\n<h3 class=\"card__title\">Pedalling hard to realise the African dream \u2013 Team Amani&amp;#39;s two-year plan for a Tour de France Femmes start<\/h3>\n<div class=\"card__description-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"card__description\">\n<p>Team Amani have enjoyed green shoots of success this season, but hope for more resources to reach their goal of a Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift start in 2028<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T11:47:48+00:00\">2026-08-27T11:47:48.941Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-20c01f58-a20d-11f1-ba11-d5adf328dcf0\">Lutsenko and Bisiaux are slightly building their lead, but it&#8217;s still not enough to be day done, and we&#8217;re only 25km in&#8230;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-20c01fe4-a20d-11f1-b442-9fc8c8768780\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GPTRU73hmyfRhFmRBMcnK6.jpg\" alt=\"CASTELLO, SPAIN - AUGUST 27: Leo Bisiaux of France and Team Decathlon CMA CGM attacks during the La Vuelta - 81st Tour of Spain 2026, Stage 6 a 177.4km stage from Alcossebre to Castello \/ #UCIWT \/ on August 267 2026 in Castello, Spain. (Photo by Tim de Waele\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T11:39:43+00:00\">2026-08-27T11:39:43.177Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-ff2fcdb2-a20b-11f1-b66f-35f8a9a36263\">About 20km done, Lutsenko and Bisiaux are in the lead but there&#8217;s a group chasing behind them, and the gap is still only really small \u2013 15 seconds from the leaders to the peloton with the chasers in between.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T11:37:15+00:00\">2026-08-27T11:37:15.561Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-a7426ad8-a20b-11f1-afd0-ebec94b62703\">L\u00e9o Bisiaux (Decathlon CMA CGM) is with Lutsenko, but the gap is still small.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T11:35:51+00:00\">2026-08-27T11:35:51.766Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-755227b6-a20b-11f1-8456-a309e1ffaa14\">Sounds like Alexey Lutsenko (NSN) might have a bit of a gap on the peloton. He won&#8217;t want to be out there alone, though, and the attacks are continuing behind.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T11:34:13+00:00\">2026-08-27T11:34:13.632Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-3ae34f38-a20b-11f1-9f55-4fce9f183a0b\">Attacks all over the road so far.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-3ae34fa6-a20b-11f1-a972-e50fb5574276\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MrBAdNRLvrnrMF7f3y5gHB.jpg\" alt=\"ALCOSSEBRE, SPAIN - AUGUST 27: Alexey Lutsenko of Kazakhstan and Team NSN Cycling attacks during the La Vuelta - 81st Tour of Spain 2026, Stage 6 a 177.4km stage from Alcossebre to Castello \/ #UCIWT \/ on August 267 2026 in Alcossebre, Spain. (Photo by Tim de Waele\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T11:28:12+00:00\">2026-08-27T11:28:12.591Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-638b2a6a-a20a-11f1-91ce-adb9c1c04fc5\">Just over 10km done. The attacks are flowing but nothing has quite stuck yet.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T11:25:56+00:00\">2026-08-27T11:25:56.595Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-12951224-a20a-11f1-8a5b-e10484d06572\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"gravel-in-grand-tours-yay-or-nay-2\">Gravel in Grand Tours, yay or nay?<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-12951292-a20a-11f1-808d-7db0f8d10211\">The inclusion of gravel in Grand Tours is becoming more and more common, but there&#8217;s still a bit of debate about whether it&#8217;s a good thing or not.<\/p>\n<p>On the one hand, it adds to the excitement and to the &#8216;all-rounder&#8217; qualities that a GT winner needs, but on the other hand, a lot of people think it&#8217;s frustrating that a race could be lost because of a puncture or crash on gravel.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-article-category=\"pro-cycling\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"ecom-root\"><\/aside>\n<p id=\"elk-12951292-a20a-11f1-808d-7db0f8d10211-2\">Our gravel expert Jackie Tyson spoke to Michael Woods about today&#8217;s stage: <strong>&#8216;From a spectator&#8217;s perspective, it&#8217;s awesome&#8217; &#8211; Michael Woods says gravel section on stage 6 of 2026 Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a is &#8216;ambush territory&#8217;<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>But what do you think?<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-1295130a-a20a-11f1-aa00-095b28ea8599\"><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"min-h-[270px] mb-4 viafoura-twig-component\" id=\"viafoura-engagement-starter-wrapper\" data-component-name=\"Elk:Embed:EngagementStarter\">\n<div class=\"viafoura\">\n<div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T11:17:44+00:00\">2026-08-27T11:17:44.053Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-ece3a550-a208-11f1-a7a1-9f5b71450f87\">The first attacks are starting. It&#8217;s a big day to be in the breakaway, so I wouldn&#8217;t be surprised if we see a pretty fierce \u2013 and drawn-out \u2013 battle for the break.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T11:17:01+00:00\">2026-08-27T11:17:01.516Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-d3d8fb00-a208-11f1-9ae8-9bc76cfbeb89\">Here&#8217;s a reminder of what is on the cards today:<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-d3d8fb78-a208-11f1-89ab-efbbafeb7bd6\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CA2KY67HBrcRDmA6UGSRCd.jpg\" alt=\"Stage profile\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Unipublic)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T11:13:13+00:00\">2026-08-27T11:13:13.516Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-official-start\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-official-start\"><span>Official start<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-4c477eb4-a208-11f1-a96f-2fb85bd26b28\">Off we go \u2013 177.5km and four categorised climbs to come.<\/p>\n<p>Don&#8217;t forget to vote in the poll above to tell us who you think is going to win, or better yet, tell us your thoughts in the comments.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-article-category=\"pro-cycling\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"ecom-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T11:05:51+00:00\">2026-08-27T11:05:51.527Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-4437e2f0-a207-11f1-ac72-891393aae36e\">Not the most successful start line selfie I&#8217;ve ever seen. Where is everyone else?<\/p>\n<div class=\"see-more see-more--clipped\" id=\"elk-2092930503619813554\">\n<figure>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet hawk-ignore\" data-lang=\"en\" cite=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/cantworkitout\/status\/2092930503619813554\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Startline selfie \ud83e\udd33\ud83d\ude0dSelfie del d\u00eda \ud83e\udd33\ud83e\udd79#LaVuelta26 pic.twitter.com\/1KU6f779Q2August 27, 2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/figure>\n<div class=\"see-more__filter\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T11:05:12+00:00\">2026-08-27T11:05:12.295Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-neutral-roll-out\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-neutral-roll-out\"><span>Neutral roll-out<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-2cc96c56-a207-11f1-ac6d-c792d21a9384\">And they&#8217;re off!<\/p>\n<p>A little earlier than planned but the peloton have just rolled out for the neutral.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-article-category=\"pro-cycling\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"ecom-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T11:02:37+00:00\">2026-08-27T11:02:37.211Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-d064eda0-a206-11f1-929f-111b2cbaf305\">A scenic start this morning in Alcossebre on the coast.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-d064ee18-a206-11f1-925a-617d9c2ba4fd\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RfcRDsdNT3jihUoPjxVWSe.jpg\" alt=\"ALCOSSEBRE, SPAIN - AUGUST 27: Bruno Armirail of France and Team Visma | Lease a Bike prior to the La Vuelta - 81st Tour of Spain 2026, Stage 6 a 177.4km stage from Alcossebre to Castello \/ #UCIWT \/ on August 267 2026 in Alcossebre, Spain. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T11:00:55+00:00\">2026-08-27T11:00:55.688Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-93ef8146-a206-11f1-9ad8-c9a1c7a7046e\">Want a closer look at the stage today?<\/p>\n<p>Our preview has all the details of the route, plus Alasdair Fotheringham, who is on the ground for us, has been gathering intel from the peloton.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a 2026 stage 6 preview: &#8216;It&#8217;ll all depend on Tadej&#8217; \u2013 After years of waiting, gravel is finally on the menu in Spain<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-93ef81b4-a206-11f1-9fde-b5c0d1385eba\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZVLhSffir8pLtxjAtw4jTA.jpg\" alt=\"SIENA, ITALY - MARCH 07: Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia and UAE Team Emirates - XRG competes during the 20th Strade Bianche 2026 a 203km one day race from Siena to Siena \/ #UCIWT \/ on March 07, 2026 in Siena, Italy. (Photo by Tim de Waele\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-article-category=\"pro-cycling\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"ecom-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T10:56:20+00:00\">2026-08-27T10:56:20.256Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-efb89d38-a205-11f1-8060-838839b16f3b\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"not-just-gravel-but-a-gravel-climb-2\">Not just gravel, but a gravel climb<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-efb89db0-a205-11f1-a9b2-dff1298e66f6\">Today should be a really exciting stage in Spain, because not only is the Vuelta embracing gravel for the first time (something the other Grand Tours have experimented with already) but they&#8217;re going in hard with a gravel climb, the Puerto El Bartolo.<\/p>\n<p>9.4km long with a punishing average gradient of 7%, this would be a hard climb in normal circumstance, but it&#8217;s made even trickier by the fact that the final kilometres are unpaved gravel.<\/p>\n<p>And? It tops out with 20km to go on today&#8217;s stage&#8230; fireworks incoming. Here&#8217;s a closer look at the climb:<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-efb89e32-a205-11f1-991c-1b44cd2d5b69\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MRg25bxndRtBXS8Y5mDpRN.png\" alt=\"Profile of Puerto El Bartolo climb\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: La Vuelta\/Unipublic)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-article-category=\"pro-cycling\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"ecom-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T10:54:56+00:00\">2026-08-27T10:54:56.628Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-bdde29ae-a205-11f1-8370-6551e98288ca\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"neutral-roll-out-at-13-11-cest-2\">Neutral roll out at 13:11 CEST<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-bdde2a44-a205-11f1-9835-c7ea55d6e7b6\">The stage will start in about 15 minutes.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<p id=\"elk-a496a8ac-98ca-11f1-af59-63894d3918b3\">Hello and welcome to our live coverage of stage 6 of the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a.<\/p>\n<p>Follow along all day for live updates and commentary on the race.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-article-category=\"pro-cycling\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"ecom-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"viafoura-comments\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative max-w-[1070px] viafoura-twig-component mt-6\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class=&apos;vfcustom-community-guidelines&apos;&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; 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\u2013 Wout van Aert happy in support role at Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a but wants his sunglasses back<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a stage 6 LIVE \u2013 Battle for the breakaway continuing as peloton warm up for gravel climb in Valencia<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"empty\" id=\"sidebar-popular-bottom\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-empty widget-sidebar-popular-bottom widget-empty-sidebar-popular-bottom ad-unit widget-no-data widget-empty\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero hero-live news-article widget-hero widget-hero-fter-review\">\n<div class=\"clear-both widget-header\">\n<\/div>\n<div data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\" class=\"news-article\">\n<div class=\"header-container\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<li>\nVuelta a Espa\u00f1a\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<header>\n<div class=\"header-sub-container\">\n<h1 class=\"review-title-long live-report\">Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a stage 6 LIVE \u2013 Strong break finally gets away as Poga\u010dar and UAE control behind, gravel climb looming<\/h1>\n<h2>177.4km stage from Alcossebre to Castell\u00f3 features four categorised climbs, the last of which features a gravel stretch<br \/>\n<\/h2>\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>Live-reports<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\">\n<span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nMatilda Price <\/span><br \/>\n<span class=\"inline-block h-3 my-auto border-l border-solid vds-simple-byline__divider max-sm:hidden\"><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\">\n<span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nLast updated<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T13:28:14Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n27 August 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><br \/>\n<\/span>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<nav class=\"socialite-widget box less-space \" data-contexturl=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/live\/vuelta-a-espana-stage-6-live-fireworks-expected-as-gravel-and-steep-climbs-on-the-menu-in-spain\/\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"socialite\">\n<ul class=\"socialite-widget-ul\">\n<li class=\"socialite-widget-item social-facebook\">\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"socialite-widget-item social-twitter\">\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"socialite-widget-item social-pinterest\">\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"socialite-widget-item social-email\">\n<p><i class=\"icon icon-envelope-solid\"><\/i><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>    <span class=\"text-[color:var(--comment-count-text-color,inherit)]\"><span>1<\/span> <span class=\"visible hidden sm:inline-block\">Comment<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n    <span class=\"text-[color:var(--comment-count-text-color,inherit)] hidden visible sm:inline-block\">Join the conversation<\/span><\/p>\n<\/nav>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-start text-left\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[color:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit)] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<figure>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k4tYprujEmFKEU3Da2o7h6.jpg\" alt=\"CASTELLO, SPAIN - AUGUST 27: (L-R) Pavel Sivakov of France and UAE Team Emirates XRG, Andreas Leknessund of Norway and Team Uno-X Mobility and Callum Thornley of Great Britain and Team Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe compete during the La Vuelta - 81st Tour of Spain 2026, Stage 6 a 177.4km stage from Alcossebre to Castello \/ #UCIWT \/ on August 267 2026 in Castello, Spain. (Photo by Tim de Waele\/Getty Images)\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] block-image-ads hero-image w-full\" data-component-name=\"Image\"><figcaption class=\"font-article-copy text-(--image--text--color) font-article-copy mt-2\"> <span class=\"caption-text\">The peloton at the start of stage 6<\/span><br \/>\n<span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: \u00a9 Getty Images)<\/span><br \/>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\" class=\"news-article\">\n<div class=\"header-container\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<li>\nVuelta a Espa\u00f1a\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<header>\n<div class=\"header-sub-container\">\n<h1 class=\"review-title-long live-report\">Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a stage 6 LIVE \u2013 Strong break finally gets away as Poga\u010dar and UAE control behind, gravel climb looming<\/h1>\n<h2>177.4km stage from Alcossebre to Castell\u00f3 features four categorised climbs, the last of which features a gravel stretch<br \/>\n<\/h2>\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>Live-reports<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\">\n<span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nMatilda Price <\/span><br \/>\n<span class=\"inline-block h-3 my-auto border-l border-solid vds-simple-byline__divider max-sm:hidden\"><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\">\n<span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nLast updated<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T13:28:14Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n27 August 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><br \/>\n<\/span>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<nav class=\"socialite-widget box less-space \" data-contexturl=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/live\/vuelta-a-espana-stage-6-live-fireworks-expected-as-gravel-and-steep-climbs-on-the-menu-in-spain\/\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"socialite\">\n<ul class=\"socialite-widget-ul\">\n<li class=\"socialite-widget-item social-facebook\">\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"socialite-widget-item social-twitter\">\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"socialite-widget-item social-pinterest\">\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"socialite-widget-item social-email\">\n<p><i class=\"icon icon-envelope-solid\"><\/i><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>    <span class=\"text-[color:var(--comment-count-text-color,inherit)]\"><span>1<\/span> <span class=\"visible hidden sm:inline-block\">Comment<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n    <span class=\"text-[color:var(--comment-count-text-color,inherit)] hidden visible sm:inline-block\">Join the conversation<\/span><\/p>\n<\/nav>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-start text-left\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[color:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit)] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. 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(Photo by Tim de Waele\/Getty Images)\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] block-image-ads hero-image w-full\" data-component-name=\"Image\"><figcaption class=\"font-article-copy text-(--image--text--color) font-article-copy mt-2\"> <span class=\"caption-text\">The peloton at the start of stage 6<\/span><br \/>\n<span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: \u00a9 Getty Images)<\/span><br \/>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"pinned-content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-pinned-content widget-contentparsed-pinned-content widget-pinned news-article widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-default widget-content-parsed-live-feed \">\n<div class=\" article-body \">\n<div class>\n<a id=\"elk-a48ec1aa-98ca-11f1-9b5a-07e4f317248f\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-a48ec236-98ca-11f1-bd6f-7fe0035e99e1\"><strong>Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a 2026 &#8211; Everything you need to know<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a 2026 &#8211; Route<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-article-category=\"pro-cycling\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"ecom-root\"><\/aside>\n<p id=\"elk-a48ec236-98ca-11f1-bd6f-7fe0035e99e1-2\"><strong>Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a 2026 &#8211; Contenders<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a 2026 &#8211; stage 6 preview<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>How to watch the 2026 Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a<\/strong><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-a48ec2b8-98ca-11f1-b3d3-9bb9cfecc8f2\"><strong>For unbeatable coverage across road, gravel and tech, subscribe to Cyclingnews. You&#8217;ll get comprehensive race coverage of La Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a, subscriber-exclusive analysis from our expert columnists, in-depth features and industry-leading tech insight. Plus, the Cyclingnews app lets you follow the action wherever you go! <\/strong><u><strong>Join today.<\/strong><\/u><\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-race-situation\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-race-situation\"><span>Race Situation<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><a id=\"elk-a48ec3bc-98ca-11f1-9d5f-c313538f1316\"><\/a><a id=\"elk-have-your-say\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-have-your-say\"><span>Have your say<\/span><\/h3>\n<div id=\"elk-985b69dc-a203-11f1-b85c-d9e27d06070c\">\n<div class=\"kwizly-quiz kwizly-W0RdKX\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"live-feed-multipage\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-live-feed-multipage widget-contentparsed-live-feed-multipage news-article widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-default multipage widget-content-parsed-live-feed \">\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\" article-body \">\n<div id=\"ad-unit-1\" class=\"ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div data-component-name=\"Article:LiveReportUpdater\">\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T13:28:14+00:00\">2026-08-27T13:28:14.099Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-28450ed8-a21b-11f1-88f1-1741c3e51e47\">Here&#8217;s the latest from the road.<\/p>\n<div class=\"see-more see-more--clipped\" id=\"elk-2092966722483441986\">\n<figure>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet hawk-ignore\" data-lang=\"en\" cite=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/cantworkitout\/status\/2092966722483441986\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">\ud83c\udfc1- 83 km | Stage 6\ufe0f\u20e3 &#8211; Etapa 6\ufe0f\u20e3 | #LaVuelta26\ud83d\udcaa A group of 16 riders including van Aert, Buitrago and Bilbao is working hard at the front of the race, as @TeamEmiratesUAE are setting the pace behind\ud83d\udca5 Un grupo de 16 hombres con van Aert, Buitrago o Bilbao es cabeza de carrera\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/LvkOo9lgZhAugust 27, 2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/figure>\n<div class=\"see-more__filter\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T13:24:59+00:00\">2026-08-27T13:24:59.931Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-crash\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-crash\"><span>Crash<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-ba8c1602-a21a-11f1-a504-370839badb55\">A few riders have just come off at the back of the peloton, mainly Tudor riders, three of them hit the deck. Including birthday boy Marco Brenner \ud83d\ude41<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T13:23:02+00:00\">2026-08-27T13:23:02.910Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-6ff9d002-a21a-11f1-89f5-41d67a05e519\">Van Aert is setting the pace on the front of the break to pull out the gap towards a minute and a half.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T13:15:52+00:00\">2026-08-27T13:15:52.764Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-6e3ddd86-a219-11f1-a0c6-4362a56dfa17\">The 16 leaders nearly have a minute&#8217;s lead now, with UAE on the front of the peloton. I <em>think <\/em>they&#8217;re trying to let the group go and shut down any more chasing, rather than chase themselves&#8230; Let&#8217;s see.<\/p>\n<p>If this gap can go out over a minute and a half that would be good for the break. Seems to be settling down.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-article-category=\"pro-cycling\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"ecom-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T13:14:58+00:00\">2026-08-27T13:14:58.217Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-95km-to-go\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-95km-to-go\"><span>95km to go<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-4dbabb1a-a219-11f1-961d-232ed5903246\">Ah the reason Poga\u010dar is getting in the mix is also because Oscar Onley is following moves off the front of the peloton. GC action happening already&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>Anyone hoping for a straightforward breakaway day, you can forget about that!<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-article-category=\"pro-cycling\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"ecom-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T13:08:55+00:00\">2026-08-27T13:08:55.154Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-753fb5a6-a218-11f1-9e87-4d09794614c1\">Gosh now even Poga\u010dar is getting involved behind. UAE would obviously rather that a Decathlon-free break got away.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T13:08:07+00:00\">2026-08-27T13:08:07.619Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-58ea0636-a218-11f1-89c1-7360a2f526a2\">It&#8217;s Decathlon CMA CGM who are really still pushing it behind. They don&#8217;t have a rider in the break so they&#8217;re not happy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T13:07:09+00:00\">2026-08-27T13:07:09.718Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-36a2fb3c-a218-11f1-8a27-a1ac1ddba474\">And the chasers have just caught the four leaders, so that should be 16 in the lead now.<\/p>\n<p>Behind, there&#8217;s a bit of disagreement in the bunch over whether they&#8217;re happy to let this go or not. So they&#8217;re only around 45 seconds ahead of the peloton.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-article-category=\"pro-cycling\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"ecom-root\"><\/aside>\n<p id=\"elk-36a2fb3c-a218-11f1-8a27-a1ac1ddba474-2\">If the teams in the bunch say &#8216;OK, let it go&#8217; then this will be our move of the day (finally) but if even one team keeps pushing on, this could continue&#8230;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T13:05:06+00:00\">2026-08-27T13:05:06.353Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-ece3a1f4-a217-11f1-b7eb-6162e4ea1231\">Buitrago, Bennett, Kron and Leemreize are leading, with a fairly big chasing group \u2013 that includes Wout van Aert \u2013 within 20 seconds as we head into the final 100km.<\/p>\n<p>Out the back, Mads Pedersen has been distanced.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-article-category=\"pro-cycling\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"ecom-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T12:53:58+00:00\">2026-08-27T12:53:58.999Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-110km-to-go\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-110km-to-go\"><span>110km to go<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-5f36f2a8-a216-11f1-b900-45cf7e56a3af\">The riders are over the top of that climb, with the next wave of attacks being launched. It&#8217;s George Bennett (NSN), Gijs Leemreize (Picnic PostNL), Andreas Kron (Uno-X Mobility), and Santiago Buitrago (Bahrain Victorious) who are 14 seconds up the road, but ominously, UAE Team Emirates-XRG have come to the front to pace.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T12:45:28+00:00\">2026-08-27T12:45:28.848Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-2f110a56-a215-11f1-87a2-b15c916ba5c8\">As I typed, that latest group has also been pulled back. It&#8217;s been brutal right from the start and the longer this fight for the breakaway goes, the more likely it becomes that UAE will start pacing for Poga\u010dar with a third stage win on offer&#8230;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T12:42:55+00:00\">2026-08-27T12:42:55.899Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-climb-coll-de-la-bandereta-4-6km-at-6-7\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-climb-coll-de-la-bandereta-4-6km-at-6-7\"><span>Climb: Coll de la Bandereta (4.6km at 6.7%)<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-d40274b0-a214-11f1-b35b-2fa3efddf4a5\">There&#8217;s a new move forming towards the front of the race with more than 15 riders getting ahead of the peloton. The gaps are still so tight for the moment, with the attacking far from over.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T12:40:57+00:00\">2026-08-27T12:40:57.513Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-8d66eca2-a214-11f1-b1ad-87a01509e51b\">With still no breakaway and approaching the foot of the next climb, more attacks are being launched in anticipation of the Coll de la Bandereta (4.6km at 6.7%).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T12:36:01+00:00\">2026-08-27T12:36:01.865Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-120km-to-go\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-120km-to-go\"><span>120km to go<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-dd27adfe-a213-11f1-9aef-d50c3d3d2ff6\">Unfortunately, Josh Tarling (Netcompany Ineos) has abandoned the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a. We will update with more information once there is communication from the team.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T12:33:57+00:00\">2026-08-27T12:33:57.320Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-93046ece-a213-11f1-889d-0971b08e2830\"><strong>KOM results from Puerto de la Serratella:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>1st: Santiago Buitrago (Bahrain Victorious) \u2013 5 points<br \/>2nd: Lorenzo Fortunato (XDS Astana) \u2013 3 points<br \/>3rd: Stefan K\u00fcng (Groupama-FDJ United) \u2013 1 point<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-article-category=\"pro-cycling\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"ecom-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T12:23:31+00:00\">2026-08-27T12:23:31.468Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-1dc8fab8-a212-11f1-ae90-afd6d0ba413c\">Tadej Poga\u010dar has been staying hidden in the bunch so far&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>Could he be hoping to give this stage to the break, or is he just biding is time? According to our poll, most of you think he&#8217;s going to win today!<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-1dc8fb26-a212-11f1-8954-a1391abcd546\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k4tYprujEmFKEU3Da2o7h6.jpg\" alt=\"CASTELLO, SPAIN - AUGUST 27: (L-R) Pavel Sivakov of France and UAE Team Emirates XRG, Andreas Leknessund of Norway and Team Uno-X Mobility and Callum Thornley of Great Britain and Team Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe compete during the La Vuelta - 81st Tour of Spain 2026, Stage 6 a 177.4km stage from Alcossebre to Castello \/ #UCIWT \/ on August 267 2026 in Castello, Spain. (Photo by Tim de Waele\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-article-category=\"pro-cycling\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"ecom-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T12:19:37+00:00\">2026-08-27T12:19:37.750Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-92885b38-a211-11f1-94f1-a7c2b125f145\">We&#8217;ve crested the top of the climb and still no break.<\/p>\n<p>Will share the KOM results when we get them.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-article-category=\"pro-cycling\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"ecom-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T12:16:32+00:00\">2026-08-27T12:16:32.701Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-243a52f8-a211-11f1-b9a9-4f91519369c8\"><strong>Enjoying our live race coverage? Subscribe to Cyclingnews for an all-access pass to our unrivalled reporting of WorldTour racing, bike tech and exclusive in-depth features. Plus, access to the Cyclingnews app to follow the action on-the-go!<\/strong><br \/><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"kiosq-main-layer kiosq-button-layer\"><strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"kiosq-main-layer-container\">\n<div class=\"kiosq-login-button rowCenter\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T12:13:09+00:00\">2026-08-27T12:13:09.402Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-ab0b3730-a210-11f1-85fe-f7f139c76ea8\">Beautiful landscapes in Valencia.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-ab0b37a8-a210-11f1-b91c-21c740a1e182\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EnzV7EjMrcf8oeyXrhPmVX.jpg\" alt=\"CASTELLO, SPAIN - AUGUST 27: A general view of the peloton climbing to the Puerto de la Serratella (844m) during the La Vuelta - 81st Tour of Spain 2026, Stage 6 a 177.4km stage from Alcossebre to Castello \/ #UCIWT \/ on August 267 2026 in Castello, Spain. (Photo by Tim de Waele\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T12:10:06+00:00\">2026-08-27T12:10:06.051Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-3ddea6c4-a210-11f1-b540-73911decd3b3\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"biggest-fight-for-the-break-yet-2\">Biggest fight for the break yet<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-3ddea732-a210-11f1-83a9-e505294da54c\">Now, I&#8217;ve been on holiday until today, but the official Vuelta channel reliably tells me that &#8220;this is the most intense battle for the break so far&#8221; at this year&#8217;s race.<\/p>\n<p>It certainly has been a long one, with an average speed of just over 41kph for the first hour.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-article-category=\"pro-cycling\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"ecom-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T12:08:43+00:00\">2026-08-27T12:08:43.698Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-140km-to-go\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-140km-to-go\"><span>140km to go<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-0cadde80-a210-11f1-ab3e-89a9efc8ac14\">Nearly 40km done and we&#8217;re still breakless.<\/p>\n<p>Will it go before the top of this climb? Sounds like a bigger group has just clipped off the front, and they&#8217;ll be hoping that size works in their favour&#8230;<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-article-category=\"pro-cycling\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"ecom-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T12:06:54+00:00\">2026-08-27T12:06:54.254Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-cb65cc94-a20f-11f1-b9fd-8fe9cdb618aa\">Fairly usual suspects in terms of what teams are controlling at the front of the peloton: UAE, Decathlon, Red Bull.<\/p>\n<p>Pinarello-Q36.5 seem particularly keen to get in the break today, they&#8217;ve had a few riders on the attack already.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-article-category=\"pro-cycling\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"ecom-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T12:02:20+00:00\">2026-08-27T12:02:20.880Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-2878d648-a20f-11f1-9a66-771ca363debb\">Attackers caught.<\/p>\n<p>The battle for the break will continue on this climb&#8230;<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-article-category=\"pro-cycling\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"ecom-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T11:59:46+00:00\">2026-08-27T11:59:46.078Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-cc2a2a5e-a20e-11f1-bfda-db1922bc0bb6\">Walter Calzoni (Pinarello-Q36.5) has just joined the leaders to make it three in front, but they&#8217;re leading by less than 15 seconds halfway up the climb.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T11:54:23+00:00\">2026-08-27T11:54:23.642Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-climb-puerto-de-la-serratella-14-1km-at-4\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-climb-puerto-de-la-serratella-14-1km-at-4\"><span>Climb: Puerto de la Serratella (14.1km at 4%)<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-0bf2cdb8-a20e-11f1-b418-0bc938d7bb9f\">The bunch are now on the first categorised climb of the day. It&#8217;s the longest at 14.1km, but the average gradient is only 4%, so relatively tame compared to what&#8217;s to come this afternoon.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T11:51:06+00:00\">2026-08-27T11:51:06.359Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-966fbac4-a20d-11f1-a82c-0f08901de866\">If you&#8217;re looking for something to read whilst you wait for the live coverage to start, may I recommend this in-depth feature about Team Amani, and their bold \u2013 but realistic \u2013 plans to make it to the Tour de France Femmes in 2028.<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/icGMES75fiCgrAKtCtxdJZ.png\" alt=\"Haftu Eyerusalem Reda of Ethiopia and Team Amani prior to the 25th Durango - Durango Emakumeen Saria 2026 (Photo by Szymon Gruchalski\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] card__image\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"card__content\">\n<h3 class=\"card__title\">Pedalling hard to realise the African dream \u2013 Team Amani&amp;#39;s two-year plan for a Tour de France Femmes start<\/h3>\n<div class=\"card__description-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"card__description\">\n<p>Team Amani have enjoyed green shoots of success this season, but hope for more resources to reach their goal of a Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift start in 2028<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T11:47:48+00:00\">2026-08-27T11:47:48.941Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-20c01f58-a20d-11f1-ba11-d5adf328dcf0\">Lutsenko and Bisiaux are slightly building their lead, but it&#8217;s still not enough to be day done, and we&#8217;re only 25km in&#8230;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-20c01fe4-a20d-11f1-b442-9fc8c8768780\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GPTRU73hmyfRhFmRBMcnK6.jpg\" alt=\"CASTELLO, SPAIN - AUGUST 27: Leo Bisiaux of France and Team Decathlon CMA CGM attacks during the La Vuelta - 81st Tour of Spain 2026, Stage 6 a 177.4km stage from Alcossebre to Castello \/ #UCIWT \/ on August 267 2026 in Castello, Spain. (Photo by Tim de Waele\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T11:39:43+00:00\">2026-08-27T11:39:43.177Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-ff2fcdb2-a20b-11f1-b66f-35f8a9a36263\">About 20km done, Lutsenko and Bisiaux are in the lead but there&#8217;s a group chasing behind them, and the gap is still only really small \u2013 15 seconds from the leaders to the peloton with the chasers in between.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T11:37:15+00:00\">2026-08-27T11:37:15.561Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-a7426ad8-a20b-11f1-afd0-ebec94b62703\">L\u00e9o Bisiaux (Decathlon CMA CGM) is with Lutsenko, but the gap is still small.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T11:35:51+00:00\">2026-08-27T11:35:51.766Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-755227b6-a20b-11f1-8456-a309e1ffaa14\">Sounds like Alexey Lutsenko (NSN) might have a bit of a gap on the peloton. He won&#8217;t want to be out there alone, though, and the attacks are continuing behind.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T11:34:13+00:00\">2026-08-27T11:34:13.632Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-3ae34f38-a20b-11f1-9f55-4fce9f183a0b\">Attacks all over the road so far.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-3ae34fa6-a20b-11f1-a972-e50fb5574276\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MrBAdNRLvrnrMF7f3y5gHB.jpg\" alt=\"ALCOSSEBRE, SPAIN - AUGUST 27: Alexey Lutsenko of Kazakhstan and Team NSN Cycling attacks during the La Vuelta - 81st Tour of Spain 2026, Stage 6 a 177.4km stage from Alcossebre to Castello \/ #UCIWT \/ on August 267 2026 in Alcossebre, Spain. (Photo by Tim de Waele\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T11:28:12+00:00\">2026-08-27T11:28:12.591Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-638b2a6a-a20a-11f1-91ce-adb9c1c04fc5\">Just over 10km done. The attacks are flowing but nothing has quite stuck yet.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T11:25:56+00:00\">2026-08-27T11:25:56.595Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-12951224-a20a-11f1-8a5b-e10484d06572\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"gravel-in-grand-tours-yay-or-nay-2\">Gravel in Grand Tours, yay or nay?<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-12951292-a20a-11f1-808d-7db0f8d10211\">The inclusion of gravel in Grand Tours is becoming more and more common, but there&#8217;s still a bit of debate about whether it&#8217;s a good thing or not.<\/p>\n<p>On the one hand, it adds to the excitement and to the &#8216;all-rounder&#8217; qualities that a GT winner needs, but on the other hand, a lot of people think it&#8217;s frustrating that a race could be lost because of a puncture or crash on gravel.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-article-category=\"pro-cycling\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"ecom-root\"><\/aside>\n<p id=\"elk-12951292-a20a-11f1-808d-7db0f8d10211-2\">Our gravel expert Jackie Tyson spoke to Michael Woods about today&#8217;s stage: <strong>&#8216;From a spectator&#8217;s perspective, it&#8217;s awesome&#8217; &#8211; Michael Woods says gravel section on stage 6 of 2026 Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a is &#8216;ambush territory&#8217;<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>But what do you think?<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-1295130a-a20a-11f1-aa00-095b28ea8599\"><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"min-h-[270px] mb-4 viafoura-twig-component\" id=\"viafoura-engagement-starter-wrapper\" data-component-name=\"Elk:Embed:EngagementStarter\">\n<div class=\"viafoura\">\n<div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T11:17:44+00:00\">2026-08-27T11:17:44.053Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-ece3a550-a208-11f1-a7a1-9f5b71450f87\">The first attacks are starting. It&#8217;s a big day to be in the breakaway, so I wouldn&#8217;t be surprised if we see a pretty fierce \u2013 and drawn-out \u2013 battle for the break.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T11:17:01+00:00\">2026-08-27T11:17:01.516Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-d3d8fb00-a208-11f1-9ae8-9bc76cfbeb89\">Here&#8217;s a reminder of what is on the cards today:<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-d3d8fb78-a208-11f1-89ab-efbbafeb7bd6\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CA2KY67HBrcRDmA6UGSRCd.jpg\" alt=\"Stage profile\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Unipublic)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T11:13:13+00:00\">2026-08-27T11:13:13.516Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-official-start\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-official-start\"><span>Official start<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-4c477eb4-a208-11f1-a96f-2fb85bd26b28\">Off we go \u2013 177.5km and four categorised climbs to come.<\/p>\n<p>Don&#8217;t forget to vote in the poll above to tell us who you think is going to win, or better yet, tell us your thoughts in the comments.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-article-category=\"pro-cycling\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"ecom-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T11:05:51+00:00\">2026-08-27T11:05:51.527Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-4437e2f0-a207-11f1-ac72-891393aae36e\">Not the most successful start line selfie I&#8217;ve ever seen. Where is everyone else?<\/p>\n<div class=\"see-more see-more--clipped\" id=\"elk-2092930503619813554\">\n<figure>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet hawk-ignore\" data-lang=\"en\" cite=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/cantworkitout\/status\/2092930503619813554\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Startline selfie \ud83e\udd33\ud83d\ude0dSelfie del d\u00eda \ud83e\udd33\ud83e\udd79#LaVuelta26 pic.twitter.com\/1KU6f779Q2August 27, 2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/figure>\n<div class=\"see-more__filter\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T11:05:12+00:00\">2026-08-27T11:05:12.295Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-neutral-roll-out\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-neutral-roll-out\"><span>Neutral roll-out<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-2cc96c56-a207-11f1-ac6d-c792d21a9384\">And they&#8217;re off!<\/p>\n<p>A little earlier than planned but the peloton have just rolled out for the neutral.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-article-category=\"pro-cycling\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"ecom-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T11:02:37+00:00\">2026-08-27T11:02:37.211Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-d064eda0-a206-11f1-929f-111b2cbaf305\">A scenic start this morning in Alcossebre on the coast.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-d064ee18-a206-11f1-925a-617d9c2ba4fd\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RfcRDsdNT3jihUoPjxVWSe.jpg\" alt=\"ALCOSSEBRE, SPAIN - AUGUST 27: Bruno Armirail of France and Team Visma | Lease a Bike prior to the La Vuelta - 81st Tour of Spain 2026, Stage 6 a 177.4km stage from Alcossebre to Castello \/ #UCIWT \/ on August 267 2026 in Alcossebre, Spain. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T11:00:55+00:00\">2026-08-27T11:00:55.688Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-93ef8146-a206-11f1-9ad8-c9a1c7a7046e\">Want a closer look at the stage today?<\/p>\n<p>Our preview has all the details of the route, plus Alasdair Fotheringham, who is on the ground for us, has been gathering intel from the peloton.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a 2026 stage 6 preview: &#8216;It&#8217;ll all depend on Tadej&#8217; \u2013 After years of waiting, gravel is finally on the menu in Spain<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-93ef81b4-a206-11f1-9fde-b5c0d1385eba\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZVLhSffir8pLtxjAtw4jTA.jpg\" alt=\"SIENA, ITALY - MARCH 07: Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia and UAE Team Emirates - XRG competes during the 20th Strade Bianche 2026 a 203km one day race from Siena to Siena \/ #UCIWT \/ on March 07, 2026 in Siena, Italy. (Photo by Tim de Waele\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-article-category=\"pro-cycling\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"ecom-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T10:56:20+00:00\">2026-08-27T10:56:20.256Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-efb89d38-a205-11f1-8060-838839b16f3b\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"not-just-gravel-but-a-gravel-climb-2\">Not just gravel, but a gravel climb<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-efb89db0-a205-11f1-a9b2-dff1298e66f6\">Today should be a really exciting stage in Spain, because not only is the Vuelta embracing gravel for the first time (something the other Grand Tours have experimented with already) but they&#8217;re going in hard with a gravel climb, the Puerto El Bartolo.<\/p>\n<p>9.4km long with a punishing average gradient of 7%, this would be a hard climb in normal circumstance, but it&#8217;s made even trickier by the fact that the final kilometres are unpaved gravel.<\/p>\n<p>And? It tops out with 20km to go on today&#8217;s stage&#8230; fireworks incoming. Here&#8217;s a closer look at the climb:<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-efb89e32-a205-11f1-991c-1b44cd2d5b69\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MRg25bxndRtBXS8Y5mDpRN.png\" alt=\"Profile of Puerto El Bartolo climb\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: La Vuelta\/Unipublic)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-article-category=\"pro-cycling\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"ecom-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T10:54:56+00:00\">2026-08-27T10:54:56.628Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-bdde29ae-a205-11f1-8370-6551e98288ca\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"neutral-roll-out-at-13-11-cest-2\">Neutral roll out at 13:11 CEST<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-bdde2a44-a205-11f1-9835-c7ea55d6e7b6\">The stage will start in about 15 minutes.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<p id=\"elk-a496a8ac-98ca-11f1-af59-63894d3918b3\">Hello and welcome to our live coverage of stage 6 of the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a.<\/p>\n<p>Follow along all day for live updates and commentary on the race.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-article-category=\"pro-cycling\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"ecom-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"viafoura-comments\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative max-w-[1070px] viafoura-twig-component mt-6\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class=&apos;vfcustom-community-guidelines&apos;&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"relative h-(--truncate-height) sm:h-(--truncate-desktop-height) overflow-hidden transition-[height] duration-150\" data-test-id=\"container\" data-component-name=\"Util:Truncate\" id=\"viafoura-comments-container\">\n<div class=\"relative z-10 viafoura rounded-[var(--comment-widget-border-radius,0)]\" id=\"viafoura-comment-wrapper\" data-test-id=\"content\">\n<div class=\"viafoura\">\n<div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"absolute bg-gradient-to-t from-[var(--truncate-gradient-color,white)] from-50% h-28 z-20 w-full bottom-0 flex items-end justify-center px-0 rounded-none\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1 rounded-b-[var(--comment-widget-border-radius,0)]\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-lg!\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-sm!\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"related-articles-block\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\" article-body \">\n<div id=\"ad-unit-1\" class=\"ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div data-component-name=\"Article:LiveReportUpdater\">\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T13:28:14+00:00\">2026-08-27T13:28:14.099Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-28450ed8-a21b-11f1-88f1-1741c3e51e47\">Here&#8217;s the latest from the road.<\/p>\n<div class=\"see-more see-more--clipped\" id=\"elk-2092966722483441986\">\n<figure>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet hawk-ignore\" data-lang=\"en\" cite=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/cantworkitout\/status\/2092966722483441986\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">\ud83c\udfc1- 83 km | Stage 6\ufe0f\u20e3 &#8211; Etapa 6\ufe0f\u20e3 | #LaVuelta26\ud83d\udcaa A group of 16 riders including van Aert, Buitrago and Bilbao is working hard at the front of the race, as @TeamEmiratesUAE are setting the pace behind\ud83d\udca5 Un grupo de 16 hombres con van Aert, Buitrago o Bilbao es cabeza de carrera\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/LvkOo9lgZhAugust 27, 2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/figure>\n<div class=\"see-more__filter\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T13:24:59+00:00\">2026-08-27T13:24:59.931Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-crash\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-crash\"><span>Crash<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-ba8c1602-a21a-11f1-a504-370839badb55\">A few riders have just come off at the back of the peloton, mainly Tudor riders, three of them hit the deck. Including birthday boy Marco Brenner \ud83d\ude41<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T13:23:02+00:00\">2026-08-27T13:23:02.910Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-6ff9d002-a21a-11f1-89f5-41d67a05e519\">Van Aert is setting the pace on the front of the break to pull out the gap towards a minute and a half.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T13:15:52+00:00\">2026-08-27T13:15:52.764Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-6e3ddd86-a219-11f1-a0c6-4362a56dfa17\">The 16 leaders nearly have a minute&#8217;s lead now, with UAE on the front of the peloton. I <em>think <\/em>they&#8217;re trying to let the group go and shut down any more chasing, rather than chase themselves&#8230; Let&#8217;s see.<\/p>\n<p>If this gap can go out over a minute and a half that would be good for the break. Seems to be settling down.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-article-category=\"pro-cycling\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"ecom-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T13:14:58+00:00\">2026-08-27T13:14:58.217Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-95km-to-go\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-95km-to-go\"><span>95km to go<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-4dbabb1a-a219-11f1-961d-232ed5903246\">Ah the reason Poga\u010dar is getting in the mix is also because Oscar Onley is following moves off the front of the peloton. GC action happening already&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>Anyone hoping for a straightforward breakaway day, you can forget about that!<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-article-category=\"pro-cycling\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"ecom-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T13:08:55+00:00\">2026-08-27T13:08:55.154Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-753fb5a6-a218-11f1-9e87-4d09794614c1\">Gosh now even Poga\u010dar is getting involved behind. UAE would obviously rather that a Decathlon-free break got away.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T13:08:07+00:00\">2026-08-27T13:08:07.619Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-58ea0636-a218-11f1-89c1-7360a2f526a2\">It&#8217;s Decathlon CMA CGM who are really still pushing it behind. They don&#8217;t have a rider in the break so they&#8217;re not happy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T13:07:09+00:00\">2026-08-27T13:07:09.718Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-36a2fb3c-a218-11f1-8a27-a1ac1ddba474\">And the chasers have just caught the four leaders, so that should be 16 in the lead now.<\/p>\n<p>Behind, there&#8217;s a bit of disagreement in the bunch over whether they&#8217;re happy to let this go or not. So they&#8217;re only around 45 seconds ahead of the peloton.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-article-category=\"pro-cycling\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"ecom-root\"><\/aside>\n<p id=\"elk-36a2fb3c-a218-11f1-8a27-a1ac1ddba474-2\">If the teams in the bunch say &#8216;OK, let it go&#8217; then this will be our move of the day (finally) but if even one team keeps pushing on, this could continue&#8230;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T13:05:06+00:00\">2026-08-27T13:05:06.353Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-ece3a1f4-a217-11f1-b7eb-6162e4ea1231\">Buitrago, Bennett, Kron and Leemreize are leading, with a fairly big chasing group \u2013 that includes Wout van Aert \u2013 within 20 seconds as we head into the final 100km.<\/p>\n<p>Out the back, Mads Pedersen has been distanced.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-article-category=\"pro-cycling\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"ecom-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T12:53:58+00:00\">2026-08-27T12:53:58.999Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-110km-to-go\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-110km-to-go\"><span>110km to go<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-5f36f2a8-a216-11f1-b900-45cf7e56a3af\">The riders are over the top of that climb, with the next wave of attacks being launched. It&#8217;s George Bennett (NSN), Gijs Leemreize (Picnic PostNL), Andreas Kron (Uno-X Mobility), and Santiago Buitrago (Bahrain Victorious) who are 14 seconds up the road, but ominously, UAE Team Emirates-XRG have come to the front to pace.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T12:45:28+00:00\">2026-08-27T12:45:28.848Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-2f110a56-a215-11f1-87a2-b15c916ba5c8\">As I typed, that latest group has also been pulled back. It&#8217;s been brutal right from the start and the longer this fight for the breakaway goes, the more likely it becomes that UAE will start pacing for Poga\u010dar with a third stage win on offer&#8230;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T12:42:55+00:00\">2026-08-27T12:42:55.899Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-climb-coll-de-la-bandereta-4-6km-at-6-7\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-climb-coll-de-la-bandereta-4-6km-at-6-7\"><span>Climb: Coll de la Bandereta (4.6km at 6.7%)<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-d40274b0-a214-11f1-b35b-2fa3efddf4a5\">There&#8217;s a new move forming towards the front of the race with more than 15 riders getting ahead of the peloton. The gaps are still so tight for the moment, with the attacking far from over.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T12:40:57+00:00\">2026-08-27T12:40:57.513Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-8d66eca2-a214-11f1-b1ad-87a01509e51b\">With still no breakaway and approaching the foot of the next climb, more attacks are being launched in anticipation of the Coll de la Bandereta (4.6km at 6.7%).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T12:36:01+00:00\">2026-08-27T12:36:01.865Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-120km-to-go\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-120km-to-go\"><span>120km to go<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-dd27adfe-a213-11f1-9aef-d50c3d3d2ff6\">Unfortunately, Josh Tarling (Netcompany Ineos) has abandoned the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a. We will update with more information once there is communication from the team.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T12:33:57+00:00\">2026-08-27T12:33:57.320Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-93046ece-a213-11f1-889d-0971b08e2830\"><strong>KOM results from Puerto de la Serratella:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>1st: Santiago Buitrago (Bahrain Victorious) \u2013 5 points<br \/>2nd: Lorenzo Fortunato (XDS Astana) \u2013 3 points<br \/>3rd: Stefan K\u00fcng (Groupama-FDJ United) \u2013 1 point<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-article-category=\"pro-cycling\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"ecom-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T12:23:31+00:00\">2026-08-27T12:23:31.468Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-1dc8fab8-a212-11f1-ae90-afd6d0ba413c\">Tadej Poga\u010dar has been staying hidden in the bunch so far&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>Could he be hoping to give this stage to the break, or is he just biding is time? According to our poll, most of you think he&#8217;s going to win today!<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-1dc8fb26-a212-11f1-8954-a1391abcd546\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k4tYprujEmFKEU3Da2o7h6.jpg\" alt=\"CASTELLO, SPAIN - AUGUST 27: (L-R) Pavel Sivakov of France and UAE Team Emirates XRG, Andreas Leknessund of Norway and Team Uno-X Mobility and Callum Thornley of Great Britain and Team Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe compete during the La Vuelta - 81st Tour of Spain 2026, Stage 6 a 177.4km stage from Alcossebre to Castello \/ #UCIWT \/ on August 267 2026 in Castello, Spain. (Photo by Tim de Waele\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-article-category=\"pro-cycling\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"ecom-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T12:19:37+00:00\">2026-08-27T12:19:37.750Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-92885b38-a211-11f1-94f1-a7c2b125f145\">We&#8217;ve crested the top of the climb and still no break.<\/p>\n<p>Will share the KOM results when we get them.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-article-category=\"pro-cycling\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"ecom-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T12:16:32+00:00\">2026-08-27T12:16:32.701Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-243a52f8-a211-11f1-b9a9-4f91519369c8\"><strong>Enjoying our live race coverage? Subscribe to Cyclingnews for an all-access pass to our unrivalled reporting of WorldTour racing, bike tech and exclusive in-depth features. Plus, access to the Cyclingnews app to follow the action on-the-go!<\/strong><br \/><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"kiosq-main-layer kiosq-button-layer\"><strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"kiosq-main-layer-container\">\n<div class=\"kiosq-login-button rowCenter\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T12:13:09+00:00\">2026-08-27T12:13:09.402Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-ab0b3730-a210-11f1-85fe-f7f139c76ea8\">Beautiful landscapes in Valencia.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-ab0b37a8-a210-11f1-b91c-21c740a1e182\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EnzV7EjMrcf8oeyXrhPmVX.jpg\" alt=\"CASTELLO, SPAIN - AUGUST 27: A general view of the peloton climbing to the Puerto de la Serratella (844m) during the La Vuelta - 81st Tour of Spain 2026, Stage 6 a 177.4km stage from Alcossebre to Castello \/ #UCIWT \/ on August 267 2026 in Castello, Spain. (Photo by Tim de Waele\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T12:10:06+00:00\">2026-08-27T12:10:06.051Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-3ddea6c4-a210-11f1-b540-73911decd3b3\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"biggest-fight-for-the-break-yet-2\">Biggest fight for the break yet<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-3ddea732-a210-11f1-83a9-e505294da54c\">Now, I&#8217;ve been on holiday until today, but the official Vuelta channel reliably tells me that &#8220;this is the most intense battle for the break so far&#8221; at this year&#8217;s race.<\/p>\n<p>It certainly has been a long one, with an average speed of just over 41kph for the first hour.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-article-category=\"pro-cycling\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"ecom-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T12:08:43+00:00\">2026-08-27T12:08:43.698Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-140km-to-go\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-140km-to-go\"><span>140km to go<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-0cadde80-a210-11f1-ab3e-89a9efc8ac14\">Nearly 40km done and we&#8217;re still breakless.<\/p>\n<p>Will it go before the top of this climb? Sounds like a bigger group has just clipped off the front, and they&#8217;ll be hoping that size works in their favour&#8230;<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-article-category=\"pro-cycling\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"ecom-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T12:06:54+00:00\">2026-08-27T12:06:54.254Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-cb65cc94-a20f-11f1-b9fd-8fe9cdb618aa\">Fairly usual suspects in terms of what teams are controlling at the front of the peloton: UAE, Decathlon, Red Bull.<\/p>\n<p>Pinarello-Q36.5 seem particularly keen to get in the break today, they&#8217;ve had a few riders on the attack already.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-article-category=\"pro-cycling\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"ecom-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T12:02:20+00:00\">2026-08-27T12:02:20.880Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-2878d648-a20f-11f1-9a66-771ca363debb\">Attackers caught.<\/p>\n<p>The battle for the break will continue on this climb&#8230;<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-article-category=\"pro-cycling\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"ecom-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T11:59:46+00:00\">2026-08-27T11:59:46.078Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-cc2a2a5e-a20e-11f1-bfda-db1922bc0bb6\">Walter Calzoni (Pinarello-Q36.5) has just joined the leaders to make it three in front, but they&#8217;re leading by less than 15 seconds halfway up the climb.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T11:54:23+00:00\">2026-08-27T11:54:23.642Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-climb-puerto-de-la-serratella-14-1km-at-4\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-climb-puerto-de-la-serratella-14-1km-at-4\"><span>Climb: Puerto de la Serratella (14.1km at 4%)<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-0bf2cdb8-a20e-11f1-b418-0bc938d7bb9f\">The bunch are now on the first categorised climb of the day. It&#8217;s the longest at 14.1km, but the average gradient is only 4%, so relatively tame compared to what&#8217;s to come this afternoon.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T11:51:06+00:00\">2026-08-27T11:51:06.359Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-966fbac4-a20d-11f1-a82c-0f08901de866\">If you&#8217;re looking for something to read whilst you wait for the live coverage to start, may I recommend this in-depth feature about Team Amani, and their bold \u2013 but realistic \u2013 plans to make it to the Tour de France Femmes in 2028.<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/icGMES75fiCgrAKtCtxdJZ.png\" alt=\"Haftu Eyerusalem Reda of Ethiopia and Team Amani prior to the 25th Durango - Durango Emakumeen Saria 2026 (Photo by Szymon Gruchalski\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] card__image\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"card__content\">\n<h3 class=\"card__title\">Pedalling hard to realise the African dream \u2013 Team Amani&amp;#39;s two-year plan for a Tour de France Femmes start<\/h3>\n<div class=\"card__description-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"card__description\">\n<p>Team Amani have enjoyed green shoots of success this season, but hope for more resources to reach their goal of a Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift start in 2028<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T11:47:48+00:00\">2026-08-27T11:47:48.941Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-20c01f58-a20d-11f1-ba11-d5adf328dcf0\">Lutsenko and Bisiaux are slightly building their lead, but it&#8217;s still not enough to be day done, and we&#8217;re only 25km in&#8230;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-20c01fe4-a20d-11f1-b442-9fc8c8768780\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GPTRU73hmyfRhFmRBMcnK6.jpg\" alt=\"CASTELLO, SPAIN - AUGUST 27: Leo Bisiaux of France and Team Decathlon CMA CGM attacks during the La Vuelta - 81st Tour of Spain 2026, Stage 6 a 177.4km stage from Alcossebre to Castello \/ #UCIWT \/ on August 267 2026 in Castello, Spain. (Photo by Tim de Waele\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T11:39:43+00:00\">2026-08-27T11:39:43.177Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-ff2fcdb2-a20b-11f1-b66f-35f8a9a36263\">About 20km done, Lutsenko and Bisiaux are in the lead but there&#8217;s a group chasing behind them, and the gap is still only really small \u2013 15 seconds from the leaders to the peloton with the chasers in between.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T11:37:15+00:00\">2026-08-27T11:37:15.561Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-a7426ad8-a20b-11f1-afd0-ebec94b62703\">L\u00e9o Bisiaux (Decathlon CMA CGM) is with Lutsenko, but the gap is still small.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T11:35:51+00:00\">2026-08-27T11:35:51.766Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-755227b6-a20b-11f1-8456-a309e1ffaa14\">Sounds like Alexey Lutsenko (NSN) might have a bit of a gap on the peloton. He won&#8217;t want to be out there alone, though, and the attacks are continuing behind.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T11:34:13+00:00\">2026-08-27T11:34:13.632Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-3ae34f38-a20b-11f1-9f55-4fce9f183a0b\">Attacks all over the road so far.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-3ae34fa6-a20b-11f1-a972-e50fb5574276\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MrBAdNRLvrnrMF7f3y5gHB.jpg\" alt=\"ALCOSSEBRE, SPAIN - AUGUST 27: Alexey Lutsenko of Kazakhstan and Team NSN Cycling attacks during the La Vuelta - 81st Tour of Spain 2026, Stage 6 a 177.4km stage from Alcossebre to Castello \/ #UCIWT \/ on August 267 2026 in Alcossebre, Spain. (Photo by Tim de Waele\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T11:28:12+00:00\">2026-08-27T11:28:12.591Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-638b2a6a-a20a-11f1-91ce-adb9c1c04fc5\">Just over 10km done. The attacks are flowing but nothing has quite stuck yet.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T11:25:56+00:00\">2026-08-27T11:25:56.595Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-12951224-a20a-11f1-8a5b-e10484d06572\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"gravel-in-grand-tours-yay-or-nay-2\">Gravel in Grand Tours, yay or nay?<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-12951292-a20a-11f1-808d-7db0f8d10211\">The inclusion of gravel in Grand Tours is becoming more and more common, but there&#8217;s still a bit of debate about whether it&#8217;s a good thing or not.<\/p>\n<p>On the one hand, it adds to the excitement and to the &#8216;all-rounder&#8217; qualities that a GT winner needs, but on the other hand, a lot of people think it&#8217;s frustrating that a race could be lost because of a puncture or crash on gravel.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-article-category=\"pro-cycling\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"ecom-root\"><\/aside>\n<p id=\"elk-12951292-a20a-11f1-808d-7db0f8d10211-2\">Our gravel expert Jackie Tyson spoke to Michael Woods about today&#8217;s stage: <strong>&#8216;From a spectator&#8217;s perspective, it&#8217;s awesome&#8217; &#8211; Michael Woods says gravel section on stage 6 of 2026 Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a is &#8216;ambush territory&#8217;<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>But what do you think?<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-1295130a-a20a-11f1-aa00-095b28ea8599\"><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"min-h-[270px] mb-4 viafoura-twig-component\" id=\"viafoura-engagement-starter-wrapper\" data-component-name=\"Elk:Embed:EngagementStarter\">\n<div class=\"viafoura\">\n<div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T11:17:44+00:00\">2026-08-27T11:17:44.053Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-ece3a550-a208-11f1-a7a1-9f5b71450f87\">The first attacks are starting. It&#8217;s a big day to be in the breakaway, so I wouldn&#8217;t be surprised if we see a pretty fierce \u2013 and drawn-out \u2013 battle for the break.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T11:17:01+00:00\">2026-08-27T11:17:01.516Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-d3d8fb00-a208-11f1-9ae8-9bc76cfbeb89\">Here&#8217;s a reminder of what is on the cards today:<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-d3d8fb78-a208-11f1-89ab-efbbafeb7bd6\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CA2KY67HBrcRDmA6UGSRCd.jpg\" alt=\"Stage profile\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Unipublic)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T11:13:13+00:00\">2026-08-27T11:13:13.516Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-official-start\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-official-start\"><span>Official start<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-4c477eb4-a208-11f1-a96f-2fb85bd26b28\">Off we go \u2013 177.5km and four categorised climbs to come.<\/p>\n<p>Don&#8217;t forget to vote in the poll above to tell us who you think is going to win, or better yet, tell us your thoughts in the comments.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-article-category=\"pro-cycling\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"ecom-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T11:05:51+00:00\">2026-08-27T11:05:51.527Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-4437e2f0-a207-11f1-ac72-891393aae36e\">Not the most successful start line selfie I&#8217;ve ever seen. Where is everyone else?<\/p>\n<div class=\"see-more see-more--clipped\" id=\"elk-2092930503619813554\">\n<figure>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet hawk-ignore\" data-lang=\"en\" cite=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/cantworkitout\/status\/2092930503619813554\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Startline selfie \ud83e\udd33\ud83d\ude0dSelfie del d\u00eda \ud83e\udd33\ud83e\udd79#LaVuelta26 pic.twitter.com\/1KU6f779Q2August 27, 2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/figure>\n<div class=\"see-more__filter\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T11:05:12+00:00\">2026-08-27T11:05:12.295Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-neutral-roll-out\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-neutral-roll-out\"><span>Neutral roll-out<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-2cc96c56-a207-11f1-ac6d-c792d21a9384\">And they&#8217;re off!<\/p>\n<p>A little earlier than planned but the peloton have just rolled out for the neutral.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-article-category=\"pro-cycling\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"ecom-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T11:02:37+00:00\">2026-08-27T11:02:37.211Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-d064eda0-a206-11f1-929f-111b2cbaf305\">A scenic start this morning in Alcossebre on the coast.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-d064ee18-a206-11f1-925a-617d9c2ba4fd\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RfcRDsdNT3jihUoPjxVWSe.jpg\" alt=\"ALCOSSEBRE, SPAIN - AUGUST 27: Bruno Armirail of France and Team Visma | Lease a Bike prior to the La Vuelta - 81st Tour of Spain 2026, Stage 6 a 177.4km stage from Alcossebre to Castello \/ #UCIWT \/ on August 267 2026 in Alcossebre, Spain. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T11:00:55+00:00\">2026-08-27T11:00:55.688Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-93ef8146-a206-11f1-9ad8-c9a1c7a7046e\">Want a closer look at the stage today?<\/p>\n<p>Our preview has all the details of the route, plus Alasdair Fotheringham, who is on the ground for us, has been gathering intel from the peloton.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a 2026 stage 6 preview: &#8216;It&#8217;ll all depend on Tadej&#8217; \u2013 After years of waiting, gravel is finally on the menu in Spain<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-93ef81b4-a206-11f1-9fde-b5c0d1385eba\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZVLhSffir8pLtxjAtw4jTA.jpg\" alt=\"SIENA, ITALY - MARCH 07: Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia and UAE Team Emirates - XRG competes during the 20th Strade Bianche 2026 a 203km one day race from Siena to Siena \/ #UCIWT \/ on March 07, 2026 in Siena, Italy. (Photo by Tim de Waele\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-article-category=\"pro-cycling\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"ecom-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T10:56:20+00:00\">2026-08-27T10:56:20.256Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-efb89d38-a205-11f1-8060-838839b16f3b\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"not-just-gravel-but-a-gravel-climb-2\">Not just gravel, but a gravel climb<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-efb89db0-a205-11f1-a9b2-dff1298e66f6\">Today should be a really exciting stage in Spain, because not only is the Vuelta embracing gravel for the first time (something the other Grand Tours have experimented with already) but they&#8217;re going in hard with a gravel climb, the Puerto El Bartolo.<\/p>\n<p>9.4km long with a punishing average gradient of 7%, this would be a hard climb in normal circumstance, but it&#8217;s made even trickier by the fact that the final kilometres are unpaved gravel.<\/p>\n<p>And? It tops out with 20km to go on today&#8217;s stage&#8230; fireworks incoming. Here&#8217;s a closer look at the climb:<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-efb89e32-a205-11f1-991c-1b44cd2d5b69\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MRg25bxndRtBXS8Y5mDpRN.png\" alt=\"Profile of Puerto El Bartolo climb\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: La Vuelta\/Unipublic)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-article-category=\"pro-cycling\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"ecom-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T10:54:56+00:00\">2026-08-27T10:54:56.628Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-bdde29ae-a205-11f1-8370-6551e98288ca\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"neutral-roll-out-at-13-11-cest-2\">Neutral roll out at 13:11 CEST<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-bdde2a44-a205-11f1-9835-c7ea55d6e7b6\">The stage will start in about 15 minutes.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<p id=\"elk-a496a8ac-98ca-11f1-af59-63894d3918b3\">Hello and welcome to our live coverage of stage 6 of the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a.<\/p>\n<p>Follow along all day for live updates and commentary on the race.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-article-category=\"pro-cycling\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"ecom-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"viafoura-comments\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative max-w-[1070px] viafoura-twig-component mt-6\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class=&apos;vfcustom-community-guidelines&apos;&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; 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src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k4tYprujEmFKEU3Da2o7h6-1024-80.jpg&#8221;] 1 As it happened: Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a stage 3 comes to a premature end 2 As it happened: Domination on stage 4 of the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a with a long-range solo move in Andorra 3 As it happened: British sensation steals the show in first road stage at La Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,68],"class_list":["post-2114467","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-cyclingnews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2114467","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2114467"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2114467\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2114467"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2114467"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2114467"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}