Will the Evenepoel show continue? - 2026 Volta Comunitat Valenciana preview

In 2025, the general classification was won by Santiago Buitrago (Bahrain Victorious), who claimed two stage wins along the way as he claimed the title by 15 seconds ahead from João Almeida (UAE Team Emirates-XRG).

Last year, the race started with a team time trial, won by Lidl-Trek, though there is no room for that format this time out. Even so, the race has something for everyone, and the terrain here has the potential to throw up some unexpected contests.

That was never more apparent than on the uphill finale in Portell de Morella last year, when Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek) sprinted to second place behind Buitrago. 

There is no summit finish on the route of the 2026 Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana, but the parcours is not to be underestimated, particularly with a puncheurs’ paradise awaiting on stage 4.

The peloton will cover 601.7km across the five stages of the UCI 2.Pro race, and the fast men should get an early opportunity on the opening day. 

Stage 1 is 160km in length, and there are only a few thorns for the sprinters to deal with along the way. The Puerto Los Madronos (2.1km at 6.7%) is the only real challenge, and that tops out with just over 40km remaining.

All signs point to a showdown between Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) and Biniam Girmay (NSN) for the first leader’s jersey of the race. That is, of course, unless we have a surprise outcome similar to the 2024 edition, when VF Group - Bardiani CSF - Faizanè pulled off a dramatic 1-2 finish, taking advantage of a snoozing peloton.

Stage 2 is an individual time trial of 17km, and world champion Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) will surely be to the fore. There is a slight rise approximately halfway through the course at Els Llacs (3.1km at 3.6%), after which it is downhill all the way to the finish line. It’s an almost forgone conclusion that Evenepoel will take victory here. And, if his Mallorca displays are any guide, he might also take a chokehold on the general classification.

Other riders to watch out in the time trial include Almeida, Mathias Vacek (Lidl-Trek), Ivan Romeo (Movistar) and, perhaps, Mads Pedersen.

Stage 3 features a rugged finale, with the first climb of the Alto de Tibi (7.5km at 5%) likely to set the tone. The ascent has maximum gradients of 8.4%, which come just 1.5km from the summit, and there are bonus seconds on offer at the top. There is another bonus sprint immediately after the descent and then a short, unclassified ascent ahead of a 23km drop towards the finish in San Vincente del Raspeig.

On paper, this type of parcours should suit the versatile riders who can climb well and keep their powder dry for the sprint effort. A reduced group should be able to stay away and contend for victory. The finale is technical, with eight roundabouts in the last 4km.

Stage 4 is the queen stage of the 2026 edition, with over 3,000 metres of elevation. The climbing starts almost from the gun, with the unclassified Tarbena preceding the Coll de Rates, the famous test climb in these parts. 

Shortly afterwards, the Alto Miserat (5.4km at 9.7%) is bound to test the legs of anyone who is not in shape, while the short, steep climbs in the finale lend themselves to attackers.

The main climb to watch out for in the finale is the Puig de La Llorenca (2.3km at 9.3%), and Almeida and Evenepoel look likely to contend for the stage and GC honours here. Other riders to watch out for on this stage include Cian Uijtdebroeks, Pablo Castrillo (Movistar), Johannes Kulset (Uno-X), Mathias Vacek (Lidl-Trek) and Antonio Tiberi (Bahrain-Victorious).

Stage 5 is just 94km in length, though if features a couple of climbs before the midpoint, including the Port del Garbí. The corresponding stage has sprung up surprises before, most notably American Will Bartra winning solo ahead of a roaring peloton in 2024. Expect a bunch sprint this time, however, as several teams will be eager to tee up their fast men for the grand finale in Valencia.

All told, the parcours is tailor-made for Evenepoel to keep stamping his authority on the early part of the season in his fresh colours at Red Bull – not least because of the stage 2 time trial, which give him an early GC lead. And stage 4 also screams Evenepoel a succession of climbs reminiscent Liège-Bastogne-Liège, which he has, of course, won twice. 

Evenepoel’s nearest competitor is likely to be Almeida, who is looking to start the 2026 season off on the right foot as he builds towards the Giro d’Italia. A strong time triallist, Almeida’s performance against the clock against Evenepoel will be key to his ambitions here. Other riders to watch out for include Vacek, Uijtdebroeks, Tiberi and Steff Cras.