Gravel makes its Vuelta debut on the road to Castelló

Stage 6 of the 2026 Vuelta a España takes the peloton from Alcossebre to Castelló over 177.4 kilometres and four classified climbs. The route includes La Serratella and a demanding finale around the Desierto de las Palmas, where gradients and unpaved roads can both split the race.

The riders first climb the second-category Alto del Desierto de las Palmas, whose summit comes 49 kilometres from the finish. They then return to Benicàssim and climb again before turning towards the first-category Puerto del Bartolo. A 1.9-kilometre gravel sector begins 23.7 kilometres from the finish and ends shortly before the summit.

The uneven surface and fast descent to Castelló will make positioning essential. Mechanical problems or a poorly timed move could create gaps even without an attack from Tadej Pogačar. The course offers a strong breakaway a chance, but also gives the general classification contenders terrain to test one another.