Vuelta a Espana 2025 - Prediction stage 16

Tuesday September 9 2025: Stage 16 - Poio> Mos-Castro de Herville (168km, hilly/ break) 

The sixteenth stage of the 2025 Vuelta a España takes place on Tuesday, September 9th, and takes the peloton over 167.9 kilometers from Poio to Mos-Castro de Herville in Galicia, with approximately 3,500 meters of elevation gain. This stage, following the rest day, features a challenging, never-flat course and a "falso llano" finale with an uphill finish.

After a leisurely approach, the real climbing begins after approximately seventy kilometers. The Alto de San Antoñino (9 km at 4%) is the first serious test. This is followed by the Alto da Groba (11.3 km at 5.4%), and in the finale, the Alto de Prado (4.3 km at 8.8%). The final climb to Castro de Herville is 8.2 kilometers long with an average gradient of 5.2%, with the first section being particularly challenging (the first three kilometers at 8.6%). Steep sections and an irregular profile make for an explosive and selective finale, with steep gradients of 8 to 10% on various sections of the climb.

The course is ideal for strong climbers and attackers, and the chance of an early breakaway holding on is high due to the challenging succession of climbs and limited control by the peloton. In the final kilometers, the favorites and GC riders can show their strength: bonus seconds at the finish and intermediate sprint (Alto de Prado) increase the stakes. The finale, situated at the picturesque viewpoint above Vigo, recalls a decisive finale from the 2021 Vuelta, heightening the tension for this edition.

Scenarios range from a battle between escapees to a direct battle between the GC riders on the final climb. The treacherous course also increases the potential for significant time gaps, especially with the even tougher mountain stages to follow.

📺Eurosport 1 (14:30 u), Sporza (15:50 u)
⏰13:12 u
🏁17:15 u
⛅️Chance of rain, light wind, 20 degrees