Vuelta a España 2026 – KOM classification prediction

The KOM classification

The KOM classification of the Vuelta a España determines who can call themselves king of the mountains, or best climber, of the race. The leader wears the mountains jersey and collects points on the categorised climbs: from fourth category to first category, with the Categoría Especial and the finish atop the Top Alberto Fernández, the highest point of the race, as the toughest climbs. Points can be earned on every summit, increasing with the severity of the climb. KOM status is thus built up over three weeks, not with a single standout day.

The Vuelta a España 2026 runs from 22 August to 13 September, over 21 stages and roughly 3,275 kilometres. The route features dozens of categorised climbs and seven summit finishes, spread across France, Andorra and Spain. The Souvenir Henri Desgrange is an award from the Tour de France and does not feature in the Vuelta.

Recent winners

Decisive climbs

A number of stages stand out when it comes to mountain points:

• Stage 4: Port de Envalira, Collada de Beixalis and Coll d'Ordino (all first category), followed by a descent into Andorra la Vella. Three tough cols in a single day, early in the race.
• Stage 9: six categorised climbs on the way to the summit finish at Alto de Aitana (first category). The stage with the most mountain points on offer.
• Stage 12: Alto de Velefique (first category) and the summit finish at Calar Alto (first category, summit at just over 2,100 metres altitude).
• Stage 14: Puerto de Los Villares and Puerto de Locubin (both second category), finishing with the summit finish at Sierra de la Pandera.
• Stage 19: summit finish at Peñas Blancas (first category), after a series of categorised climbs in the final hundred kilometres.
• Stage 20: Puerto de El Purche (twice) and Puerto de El Duque (all first category), followed by the summit finish at Collado del Alguacil (8.3 km at 9.8%), the only climb with Categoría Especial status in this Vuelta.

Besides Aitana, Calar Alto, Sierra de la Pandera, Peñas Blancas and Collado del Alguacil, the route also includes summit finishes in Font Romeu, Andorra la Vella and Aramón Valdelinares. On those days mountain points are up for grabs without a rider needing to be in the breakaway.

Candidates

It remains difficult to name concrete candidates for the KOM jersey. Traditionally, the KOM classification is decided by two types of riders: early breakaway riders and mountain specialists who spend days in the escape gathering points on intermediate climbs, and GC climbers who pick up points on the summit finishes themselves.

The last two editions saw the mountains jersey go to Jay Vine, a climber who is able to gather points both in the breakaway and on tough climbs. With six summit finishes and the demanding stages 9, 12 and 20 in this route, the chances again lie with riders who dare to go in the break on the toughest days, complemented by GC riders who pick up points on the summit finishes. Once the definitive start list is known, it will become clear which breakaway riders and climbers are specifically targeting the KOM classification. Usual suspects are Richard Carapaz, Jay Vine and Lorenzo Fortunato.

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