Italian colors dominated the final stage of the 2026 Vuelta a Burgos. Thanks to a decisive acceleration launched 1,400 meters from the finish line, Giulio Pellizzari (Red Bull BORA hansgrohe) claimed victory in the concluding act of the short Spanish race (the Caleruega-Lagunas de Neila stage of 137 kilometers), managing to hold off the return of the main contenders for just a few seconds.

Moments after the triumphant arrival of the rider from Camerino, Oscar Onley (Netcompany INEOS) crossed the line ahead of the purple jersey wearer Felix Gall (Decathlon CGA CGM), who secured third place on the stage and, by masterfully controlling his main rivals in the standings throughout the final kilometers, was crowned the winner of the race. Fourth place on the stage went to Giulio Ciccone (Lidl-Trek), who, despite courageously attempting to distance the Austrian rider and launching attacks for the top step of the podium, ultimately had to settle for third place overall.

THE RACE

After a series of more or less numerous attempts, the breakaway of the day took shape 85 kilometers from the finish when Igor Arrieta (UAE Team Emirates - XRG), Kevin Vermaerke (UAE Team Emirates - XRG), Davide Donati (Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe), Gianmarco Garofoli (Soudal Quick-Step), Afonso Eulálio (Bahrain - Victorious), Jorge Arcas (Movistar Team), Rémy Rochas (Groupama - FDJ United), Vincenzo Albanese (EF Education - EasyPost), Lennart Jasch (Tudor Pro Cycling Team), Milan Vader (Pinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team), Mathieu Burgaudeau (TotalEnergies), Baptiste Vadic (TotalEnergies), Urko Berrade (Equipo Kern Pharma), Nil Gimeno (Equipo Kern Pharma) and Jonathan Lastra (Euskaltel - Euskadi) broke away.

The action of the fifteen riders, however, kept at a short distance by the main group, quickly lost several elements: some due to crashes (Eulalio and Jasch) and others due to lack of strength (Lastra), with many unable to maintain contact with the leading group. About thirty kilometers from the finish, Garofoli, Vermaerke and Albanese pulled away further. On the Alto de Rozavientos, the American produced another acceleration that allowed him to ride solo for a few kilometers before being caught by his teammate Pavel Sivakov and Niels Driesen (Lotto Intermarché).

After cresting the penultimate climb of the day, the three managed to build a lead of more than forty seconds over the purple jersey group which, however, having reabsorbed all the previous breakaway members and considering the narrow margin over the race leaders, thanks especially to the efforts of Movistar and Decathlon CGA CGM riders, first caught Vermaerke at 5.3 kilometers remaining and then, 3,600 meters from the line, also the Frenchman and the Belgian.

At this point, with Scotson and Bisiaux (later awarded as best young rider), the French team selected the main peloton, preparing the ground for an attack by overall leader Felix Gall, who, changing pace first at 2.8 kilometers and then at 2.1 kilometers from the finish, found himself alone with Oscar Onley and Giulio Ciccone. In both instances, however, once the initial momentum of the attack faded, the three saw Pablo Torres (UAE Team Emirates-XRG), Enric Mas (Movistar), Mathys Rondel (Tudor) and a determined Giulio Pellizzari rejoin them. After attempting to break away in a counterattack twice without success, Pellizzari launched a solo attack 1,400 meters from the line, dropping Torres, with whom he had just gained a small advantage.

Behind the Italian rider, the others proceeded in fits and starts, which allowed the native of Camerino to build a sufficient advantage to celebrate without opposition at the top of Lagunas de Neila. Behind him, after desperately attempting to distance Gall once more, Onley secured second place on the stage, and in the overall standings, crossing the line just ahead of the Austrian, who, racing as the dominant force and with great control, secured his first victory in a stage race as a professional (the fourth of his entire career) with third place on the stage.

As with the British rider from Netcompany INEOS (best climber and points classification winner), there was nothing to be done for Ciccone either, who, finishing fourth at the finish line where he had brilliantly won last year, concludes his second participation in the Vuelta a Burgos with third place overall, his best result in a multi-day race since second place at the 2025 UAE Tour.

STAGE RESULTS

1. Giulio Pellizzari (Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe) 3:16:46

2. Oscar Onley (Netcompany INEOS) +0:03

3. Felix Gall (Decathlon CMA CGM Team) +0:03

4. Giulio Ciccone (Lidl - Trek) +0:05

5. Enric Mas (Movistar Team) +0:13

6. Mathys Rondel (Tudor Pro Cycling Team) +0:20

7. Jørgen Nordhagen (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) +0:29

8. Pablo Torres (UAE Team Emirates - XRG) +0:33

9. Markel Beloki (EF Education - EasyPost) +0:40

10. Lorenzo Fortunato (XDS Astana Team) +0:42

OVERALL CLASSIFICATION

1. Felix Gall (Decathlon CMA CGM Team) 19:36:15

2. Oscar Onley (Netcompany INEOS) +0:05

3. Giulio Ciccone (Lidl - Trek) +0:12

4. Giulio Pellizzari (Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe) +0:34

5. Enric Mas (Movistar Team) +0:41

6. Mathys Rondel (Tudor Pro Cycling Team) +0:50

7. Léo Bisiaux (Decathlon CMA CGM Team) +1:52

8. Markel Beloki (EF Education - EasyPost) +1:56

9. Matteo Vanhuffel (Team Picnic PostNL) +1:57

10. Lorenzo Fortunato (XDS Astana Team) +2:02

OTHER CLASSIFICATIONS

Points classification: Oscar Onley (Netcompany INEOS)

Mountains classification: Oscar Onley (Netcompany INEOS)

Best young rider classification: Léo Bisiaux (Decathlon CMA CGM Team)

Team classification: Team Picnic PostNL