The twelfth stage of the 2026 Vuelta a España takes place this Thursday between Vera and Calar Alto, in the province of Almería. The stage covers 166.6 kilometers with a cumulative elevation gain of 4,568 meters, representing a considerable physical challenge for the participating cyclists.
The race now enters the mountainous zone of Andalusia, specifically in the Almería region, where athletes will face high-mountain terrain. This phase of the race is traditionally decisive for the general classification.
The favorites for overall victory at the Vuelta face a litmus test in this stage that could significantly define their aspirations in the overall race standings. The high amount of elevation gain makes this stage especially demanding and potentially decisive for the general classification of the 2026 Vuelta a España.
