La Vuelta - Stage 7 Predictions & Betting tips - International

Prediction published on 27/08/2026, 14:32  by Matthew Newman | Modified on 28/08/2026 at 12:43

Stage 7 of La Vuelta continues in the mountains with a long final climb up to the ski resort of Valdelinares. On paper this should be a breakaway stage, but as has been the case with Tadej Pogacar in the first week, it all rests on what he wants to do.

In theory it’s a stage where Pogacar doesn’t need to do anything but that is not something that stops him from attacking like on Stage 4 and Stage 6. With a healthy outright lead already, he ought to be sitting back and allowing a break to form, but will he? Judging on the first six stages, probably not!

Enric Mas was second behind Pogacar on Thursday to take that position in the overall standings. If Pogacar attacks then the Movistar rider is going to have to go with him, so he has to be considered a big player here. 

If a break are going to be allowed to get up the road, we need to be concentrating on strong climbers like Valentin Paret-Peintre. Third in the King of the Mountains in the recent Tour de France, he is the right attacking-minded rider to take this.

Riders like Lorenzo Fortunato and Tobias Halland Johannessen are also likely types to want to get in the breakaway. Strong climbers, they will be hoping that the power of UAE are not wanting to chase them down.