As it happened: Flat stage of the Vuelta a España decided by a bunch sprint

Welcome!

Hello and welcome to Cyclingnews' coverage of stage 8 of the Vuelta a España.

It's a flat day today, and probably the last chance for the sprinters for quite a while, so we're expecting quite a battle.

45 minutes to go

The stage starts in about 45 minutes.

When we say flat, it is really flat today, with not so much as one categorised climb across the 163.5km kilometres. So there should be a breakaway but it might be hard for them to get away, with no launchpads.

Want to read something before the action starts?

This story is the one that's kicked off overnight – unsurprisingly.

'He doesn't really pull a lot of times, right?' – João Almeida frustrated by Jonas Vingegaard's lack of cooperation at Vuelta a España

The main rider looking for a win today will be Jasper Philipsen.

He's the purest sprinter here, and should be the fastest, but after winning the first stage, he was beaten by Ben Turner on the next sprint day after Alpecin messed up the lead-out. He'll try to rectify things today and prove he is the fastest sprinter here.

Sign on

The riders are signing on right now in Monzón Templario, which you can actually live stream if you want.

One of the men to watch today - as he is almost every day he races - is Mads Pedersen. Despite leading the points classification, with an increased lead after getting into yesterday’s break, Pedersen is still without a stage win at this Vuelta. He hasn’t quite been up to speed in the pure sprints so far, however, and might also be tired after his efforts in the mountains yesterday.

We're five minutes away from the neutralised start, which will depart from Monzón, against the backdrop of that town's medieval castle.

The favourite for the stage is Jasper Philipsen. The Belgian already has a win to his name from the race’s opening stage, and would have had another had Ben Turner not surprised him at the finish line in Voiron. He’s the fastest name on paper in the Vuelta peloton, and will be hungry for more success having not won as much in 2025 as he’s grown used to.

Given the way he sprinted to defeat Philipsen four days ago, Ben Turner must also be counted among the favourites for the win today. The Brit is a new man this year, and is still finding out just what he’s capable of as a bunch sprinter.

Every rider who finished yesterday has started today, with no overnight abandons to report. That’s good news, given how some have been forced out with illness in recent days.

The riders have just a little left of the neutraised section before the flag will wave.

And they're off!

OFFICIAL START

Three riders are trying to get away.

It’ll be interesting to see how much enthusiasm there is among attackers to get into the break today. The parcours certainly looks like a simple sprinters’ day, but there are a few complicating factors that might encourage some to get into the break.

The 3 riders who are first to try are John Bou, José Luis Faura and Sergio Samitier.

This might be the break of the day already - they’ve been allowed a lead of 30 seconds by the peloton.

That's gone up to 50 seconds now. The peloton seems happy to let this one go, and no new attacks are being made.

160KM TO GO

So much for a battle to get into the break. This trio’s gap is at 1:20 now, which is likely already to be too much for anyone to bridge up to unless a team takes it up at the front of the peloton to try to bring them closer.

The peloton has sat up and allowed the trio over two minutes. We have our break of the day.

One of the factors that could make this more than a straightforward sprinter stage are echelons. But there were blue skies at the start, and no sign of any strong winds disrupting things yet.

The break's been allowed a lead of 3:45.

150KM TO GO

Alpecin-Dececuninck have already embraced their role as stage favourites by taking control and leading the peloton.

The riders are currently going up a slight rise in the road, in one of many undulations that characterise the first half of the stage. It might not have been enough to encourage more attackers to get into the break, but could still wear the legs down ahead of the expected bunch sprint.

The gap continues to grow. It’s now up to 4 minutes.

Blue skies are smiling on the peloton; good news for the riders, bad news for spectators hoping crosswinds could burst the stage into life.

Just as it looks, it is a warm one out there today, with the temperature at 27 degrees.

The three riders in the day's break - Sergio Samitier, José Luis Faura and Joan Bou.

Samitier’s name was being chanted on the roadside yesterday by his fan club in attendance, as the race passed through his neck of the woods. He’s clearly felt inspired enough today to get up the road into the day’s break.

As for Joan Bou and José Luis Faura, their presence makes sure that Spanish wildcard teams Caja Rural - Seguros RGA and Burgos Burpellet BH are represented in the day’s break.

The peloton haven't allowed the trio any more of a gap, and are keeping them contained at 3:45.

130KM TO GO

While the lack of a sprinter on their roster makes it very unlikely they’ll continue this run, yesterday Juan Ayuso made it three wins in three days. They aren’t exactly riding as a unified unit all rallied behind the goal of winning the red jersey, with Ayuso, Vine and Almeida all pursuing their own goals, but it’s certainly bringing them success in terms of stage wins.

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Here were the riders passing through the city of Barbastro - where breakaway man Sergio Samitier is from.

The break's lead has reduced a little, the peloton making it very clear they won't be allowed to make it to the finish. The gap's now at 3:20.

120KM TO GO

It’s a difficult day out there for the break, too, as they’re spending much of it riding into a headwind.

Though there are no crosswinds, the wind is still having its effect on these exposed roads. The peloton are all strung out in a line, and it’s visibly a bit of a slog riding into this headwind.

The difficulty is reflected in how solely they’re going - the race is behind even the slowest predicted time.

3:10 is the gap, the peloton having the advantage in these conditions.

110KM TO GO

This is what the peloton looks like at the moment, all stretched out as they batte against the wind.

This could have all been so much exciting had this wind blown from another direction.

The riders are out of the more exposed section and are enjoying the shelter of the town of Huesca.

As they travel through Huesca, the break's lead is 3:30. This is going to be a long day in the saddle for the break in these conditions, and they still have 100km to ride.

100KM TO GO

This might not be a day for any GC action, but there’s been plenty to talk about over the course of the last two days. For some in depth analysis, check out our piece from yesterday.

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The riders are back on exposed roads again since leaving the town of Huesca, although the wind’s coming at a not quite so direct an angle this time.

The gap's gone up to over four minutes, which is pretty much the highest it's been all day. The break are giving it a good go, despite having the odds stacked against them.

90KM TO GO

Lidl-Trek have put Ghebreigzabhier to work at the front of the peloton. Up until now the only team that have assisted Alpecin is Ethan Vernon’s IPT - that indicates that Pedersen fancies his chances today.

Torstein Træen has had a stress-free day in red today. His Bahrain team hasn't been obliged to control the race, with the sprinters’ teams doing the donkey work instead.

The gap’s come down a bit again, to 3:20. The peloton aren’t exactly flying along, with the pace slow enough for some riders to chat to each other.

80KM TO GO

Wilco Kelderman is at the team car collecting bidons for his Visma teammates. It's hot work out there in the sunny weather.

The gap's hovering at around the same time, at 3:15.

70KM TO GO

Jonas Vingegaard is being as well looked after as ever by his Visma-Lease a Bike line-up in the peloton today. After a subdued day yesterday, Vingegaard explained that the team’s plan is to wait until the second and third weeks to really make a move in the GC race.

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The gap's dipped to below 3 minutes for the first time in a while. The peloton are just beginning to wind up this chase.

It's come down some more, to 2:40. Lidl-Trek are now heavily involved in the chase along with Alpecin, having not been present at the front of the peloton during the first half of the stage.

60KM TO GO

Cofidis’ young Brit Oliver Knight has abandoned the race. It’s been a quiet, mostly uneventful stage, so we can only speculate that illness might be the reason.

The pace is up in the peloton reflected in the break’s lead coming down more to just over 2:30, but is still slow enough for riders to enjoy a laugh and chat towards the back.

2:30 for the break, as they enter the final 50km. The chase is on, but no more inroads have been made the past few kilometres.

50KM TO GO

Chapeau to the break for their efforts today. This has not been an easy one, despite the flat parcours, and they’re still digging deep to stay out there.

At the moment it’s Samitier, Faura and Buo in the break versus a rider each from Alpecin, Lidl and IPT in the peloton. The latter are winning that race over the last few kilometres, bringing the gap down to just over two minutes.

An intermediate sprint is coming up soon, and as there’s only three men in the break, there are some points on offer for those in the peloton who want them.

Nobody in the break sprints for the points over the line, Samitier going over it first.

Lidl are giving Pedersen a proper lead out for this, and he, a couple of teammates and Vernon have slipped clear from the peloton.

Stewart is also there to lead out Vernon.

Pedersen wins the sprint ahead of Vernon, meaning the former gets 13 points, and the latter 10.

That was a proper challenge for the points, which Pedersen hasn’t been used to at intermediate sprints. But there’s no bad blood, as the Dane and Vernon laughing together as they wait for the peloton to re-absorb them.

That acceleration ahead of the sprint has seen the break’s gap come down considerably more, to about 1:30. What little chance they had of surviving is evaporating.

40KM TO GO

Here are the updated points classification, with Pedersen having extended his lead:

1 Pedersen 111

2 Vernon 86

3 Philipsen 75

4 Ciccone 75

5 Vingegaard 70

Away from the Vuelta, the latest leg of the Women’s World Tour has taken place in France at the Classic Lorient Agglomération. Read here to catch up on all the action.

Eric Antonio Fagúndez is the latest rider to abandon. He becomes the third Burgos Burpellet BH rider to leave the race.

The break's lead dips below a minute. With 30km to go, the peloton are readyng themselves for the sprint finish and closing in on them.

30KM TO GO

More teams are getting involved in the chase, rivalling Alpecin, IPT and Trek. Picnic PostNl have formed their own train and are vying for the space at the front.

Visma-Lease a Bike have taken over at the front, with the aim of keeping Vingegaard safe as they approach a series of twists and turns in the road.

The cars are being pulled from between the peloton and the break as they ride through the streets of Zaragoza, indicating that the gap has decreased to within 30 seconds.

In the break, Faura can't keep up with the pace of Bau and Samitier, who have dropped him.

Samitier and Bau hear the bell as they cross the finish line in Zaragoza, ahead of the final circuit.

And now the peloton crosses the line, little more than 20 seconds later. The catch is imminent.

Bahrain are riding at the front of the peloton, protecting the red jersey.

The two remaining leaders are surviving for a little longer, maintaining their lead of just over 20 seconds.

20KM TO GO

Some new teams getting involved at the front of the peloton, including Movistar and EF.

Samitiar makes a big attack on a short uphill drag, probably to try to secure the combativity award more than anything else. He hasn't managed to drop Bou, however.

The catch has been made, with 17km left to ride. That was a great effort by the breakaway riders, but all focus is on the sprinters now.

UAE and Visma take over at the front again, looking after their GC leaders. It's all quite tense in the peloton.

Alpecin are the best represented team at the front of the peloton. Everyone will be looking at Philipsen in this finale, with a likely battle to secure his wheel come the sprint.

These roads are quite technical, as they work there way through the outskirts of Zaragoza.

These technical roads are prompting the GC riders to keep their men rights at the front, with Visma-Lease a Bike joining Alpecin at the front.

A third abandon of the day - George Bennett. He was the IPT rider who assisted with the chase in the peloton today.

The riders are on a small drag uphill. There's a gradient here for an attack is anyone's feeling fresh and strong.

No action out the front, but there is at the back - Juan Ayuso has been dropped.

That suggests Ayuso is eager to lose more time, to give himself more leeway to get into the break on stages to come.

There were no attacks on that uphill. The pace is too ferociously fast for that.

10KM TO GO

The bunch is all spread across the road, with no one team taking control.

Jayco-AlUla and Picnic PostNL are among the teams trying to take control, while Visma-Lease a Bike still have a long line of riders right towards the front.

Visma’s train of riders are at the very front now.

Visma and the other GC teams might fade now, as they're into the 5km where no time gaps will be condeded in the event of a crash.

5KM TO GO

Lotto show their faces for the first time at the front, working for Viviani.

Intermarchy now also emerge at the front, with 3km to go.

IPT are emerging through the middle of the bunch. Alpecin are a little further behind.

2km to go, and it's hotly contested with lots of teams involved.

Lotto and Intermarchy lead as they near the final kilometre.

A Lotto rider leads the peloton as they go under the banner.

1KM TO GO

Lotto has a train of 2 or 3 riders for Viviani.

But here comes Alpecin...

Philipsen pips Viviani at the line!

PHILIPSEN WINS

That was a great lead out from Lotto, and it looked like Viviani might take the win, but Philipsen was simply too quick for him.

Philipsen had the squeeze through the barrier to find room to pass Viviani, but just about managed to find enough room to do so.

It was a messy sprint, with no team managing a lead out quick enough to string them out across the road, but the fastest man in the field still managed to manoeuvre his way through.

Following his fourth place on the opening stage, that was an even more impressive sprint from Viviani, who is rolling back the years with his rides at this Vuelta. He came agonisingly close to what would have been a first Grand Tour win for over 6 years.

Ethan Vernon sealed third place, building upon his second place on the opening stage and fourth on stage eight. After Philipsen, he’s looked like the best sprinter at this race.

Mads Pedersen had the prime real estate of Philipsen’s wheel in the final, but did not have the speed to follow him when he wound up his sprint. The Dane surfed other wheels, but finished down in eleventh.

The result means that both Vernon and Philipsen close the gap on Pedersen in the points classification:

1 Pedersen 117

2 Vernon 108

3 Philipsen 105

4 Ciccone 75

5 Vingegaard 70

Ben Turner wasn’t able to produce the same power as he did on the more draggy finish four days ago for his win, this time finishing down in tenth.

The work done by Jayco-AlUla in the final kilometres helped their sprinter Anders Foldager take 5th in the finale. But Picnic-PostNL’s work was in vain, as Casper van Uden was unable to get into the mix.

"We won, so we cannot complain," Philipsen says in his post-race interview, achieved despite having been boxed in at points. "

We lost my teammate, I think he did an incredible lead-out again but he was not there, and I tried to communicate, but it's difficult in the last kilometre, and I had to find my way, take a bit of extra wind, and really come late because my legs were concrete. But I just managed to win, so I'm really happy, and the effort of the team has not been for nothing."

Torstein Træen finished safely in the bunch to defend the red jersey, and has just one more day to surrive before he can take it into a rest day.

Above all, today was all about Jasper Philipsen, for a rare stage at this Vuelta for the sprinters.

That was their last chance for a while, as tomorrow the terrain heads back into more climber-friendly territory with an uphill finish. There will be a big battle for the stage, and possibly some GC action too - be sure to join us again tomorrow where we’ll bring you all the action.