- Start time: 13:50 CEST
- Finish time: 17:21 CEST
- How to watch stage 19 of the Vuelta a España
- Favourites to win the stage: Mads Pedersen, Ben Turner, Ethan Vernon, Jasper Philipsen
Friday marks the second-to-last chance for the sprinters to take advantage of flat terrain, as stage 19 crosses the high plains of the Castile-Leon region.
The start of the 161.9km route begins in Rueda, rich with vineyards that produce white wine just 30km south of where Filippo Ganna (Ineos Grenadiers) took victory in the abbreviated 12.2km individual time trial on Thursday. All the sprint teams will be eager to deliver their fast men to the slightly uphill finish in Guijuelo.
Along the way one intermediate sprint provided rewards of points and bonus seconds, with 59k remaining from that point in Salamanca. The wind could be an obstacle for the final stretch, which does have several small uncategorised hills to cross before the 2.3km push into Guijuelo, averaging 3%.
The finish town of Guijuelo serves up some of the country's best serrano hams, but it also serves as the cue for the 11th and final mountaintop finish of the Vuelta on stage 20. While race leader Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) and João Almeida (UAE Team Emirates-XRG), separated by just 40 seconds, will settle accounts a day later, look for points leader Mads Pedersen to take a second victory, sixth individual top 10, at this Grand Tour.
Climbs
- None
Sprints
- Salamanca, km. 103 - time bonus
