Date: Saturday 30 August
Distance: 164km
Start location: Monzón
Finish location: Zaragoza
Start time: 13:40 CEST
Finish time: 17:20 CEST
Despite being the nation’s fifth largest city, with a history that dates back to Roman times, Zaragoza isn’t especially recognised as a tourist destination for city breaks the way the nation’s other major cities are. That makes it something of a hidden gem, somewhere not overcrowded and facing backlash from locals like Barcelona, while also being relatively inexpensive. Its signature landmark is the grand Basilica, built to commemorate the spot where the Virgin Mary was said to appear to Spain’s patron saint, James the Apostle, and it’s just one among several architectural gems, while there’s also a thriving restaurant and nightlife scene.
Not far from Zaragoza to the south is Fuendetodos, where one of the nation’s greats artists originates from: Francisco Goya. As epitomised by the disturbing Saturn Devouring His Son and The Colossus, Goya was known for his grotesque imagery, dark colours and unsettling subject matter; riders going through the physical and mental turmoil of a Grand Tour might be able to relate.
Not on a day like today, however, which is mercifully flat. Zaragoza might be overlooked by tourists, but it isn’t by the organisers of the Vuelta a España; especially during the 2000s, when it produced many memorable bunch sprints. It was an especially happy hunting ground for Alessandro Pettachi, who triumphed here consecutively in 2003 and 2004, during the zenith of his career when he won no less than 28 Grand Tour stages across just two seasons. After a 15-year hiatus the Vuelta returned in 2023, and the outcome was much the same, with Juan Sebastián Molano coming out on top in yet another bunch sprint.
Today’s stage looks set to play out the same way. If anything, the parcours is even flatter than on those past occasions, without a single categorised climb to disrupt the sprinters’ procession to the finish. The only thing that could complicate matters is crosswinds should the wind blow, given how exposed some of the roads from the start in Monzón to Zaragoza across Aragon are, but that'd be unusual weather for this time of year. And with no sprint finish as nailed on as this until stage 19, none of the fast men will want to miss out.
Contenders
Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) won stage one to take the first red jersey one after a textbook lead out from his team to go with his yellow jersey after he won stage one of the Tour de France in July.
Philipsen and his teammate Edward Planckaert finished second and third behind Ineos Grenadiers' Ben Turner on stage four, in what was the Briton's first Grand Tour victory. Turner will be eyeing more success as the race leaves the Pyrenees.
The versatile Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) has been impressive in his green jersey hunt, especially on stage seven. But, he doesn't have a stage win to his name, despite coming second to David Gaudu on stage three.
The Israel-Premier Tech pairing of Ethan Vernon and Jake Stewart have looked strong at this Grand Tour, with Vernon looking their best bet on the flatter finishes. Likewise, the Movistar duo of Iván García Cortina and Orluis Aular will have to decide who they will ride for, but either one of them is capable of challenging for the podium.
Other potential contenders include Elia Viviani (Lotto), Bryan Coquard (Cofidis) and Casper van Uden (Team Picnic PostNL).
Prediction
We believe Jasper Philipsen will win his second stage of this Vuelta a España.
