Vuelta a Espana 2025 - Prediction stage 17

Wednesday September 10 2025: Stage 17 - O Barco de Valdeorras > Alto de El Morredero (143km, mountaintop finish) 

The seventeenth stage of the 2025 Vuelta a España on Wednesday, September 10th, will take the peloton over 143.2 kilometers from O Barco de Valdeorras to the iconic Alto de El Morredero. This relatively short but challenging mountain stage boasts approximately 3,371 meters of elevation gain and culminates in a long, brutal final category 1 climb.

The course is undulating: after just ten kilometers, the first uphill section appears, followed by several uncategorized climbs before the Paso de las Traviesas (7.8 km at 4.1%). After this climb, the route continues hilly towards Ponferrada, where the final climb begins. The climb to El Morredero is officially 18.1 kilometers long at 6.3%, but it has several distinct features. Immediately after the start, there is a 3.5-kilometer section at 10.3%; Later in the climb, there are sections of 4.3 kilometers at 8.7%, interspersed with shorter, flatter sections.

The last eight kilometers of the climb are particularly challenging, averaging 9.7% with sections up to 11.6%. The long, demanding final climb offers plenty of opportunities for attackers and climbers: significant differences can emerge here, especially after the efforts of the preceding days. Due to the relatively short approach and the fact that the battle will be decided on the climb itself, it is likely that the GC riders will primarily show their strength here. There are also bonus seconds at the finish, further increasing the stakes.

Scenarios include a battle between an early breakaway and the favorites, with the GC riders expected to catch the attacking group on El Morredero. The steep and long climb will split the peloton and create spectacular differences in this decisive phase of the Vuelta.

📺Eurosport 1 (14:30 u), Sporza (15:30 u)
⏰13:41 u
🏁17:00 u
⛅️Rainy, light wind, 19 degrees