Human Powered Health continues a block of Spanish WorldTour stage races at Vuelta a Burgos Feminas from May 21 through 24.
The four stages through the Castile and León region include three hilly tests that suit explosive sprinters and opportunists before a mountain-top finale at Lagunas de Neila – a climb used on stage 5 of the 2025 Vuelta España Femenina – will bring climbers and GC contenders to the fore. It is also the final test ahead of the second Grand Tour of the season, the Giro d’Italia Women, starting May 30.
The eclectic roster reflects this mix of terrain. Angliru hero Petra Stiasny, recovering from a crash at Itzulia Women, lines up alongside Marit Raaijmakers, Yurani Blanco, Titia Ryo, Katia Ragusa and Silvia Zanardi, keen to continue sprinting form that saw her score a tenth-place stage finish at the Vuelta.
Vuelta a Burgos Feminas Stage by Stage
5/21
Stage 1
Route: Burgos – Burgos
Distance: 127 km
Parcours: Rolling
Look out for: A right-hand turn on a roundabout before a 400-meter drag finish
What matters: Having the leadout positioned well around that final corner
Although there are a bunch of sprints on the cards at Burgos, all the stages are in the triple figures for elevation gain. It’s no different in the opener. On a rolling route and after three category 3 climbs, the peloton heads on wide roads back to Burgos. There is a bonus sprint ten kilometers from the line before the finish in the city.
5/22
Stage 2
Route: Castrojeriz – Bodega Viña Pedrosa. Pedrosa de Duero
Distance: 122 km
Parcours: Flat
Look out for: A rising finish drag, 660 meters at 3.5%
What matters: Timing the final effort correctly up to the line
There are no categorized climbs on stage 2, but the finish does provide a sting in the tail with the race taking in a circuit around Bodega Viña Pedrosa. Pedrosa de Duero before a final kick to the line. It’s not a very technical run-in, but it is only on a two-lane road, so sprinting space may be at a premium.
5/23
Stage 3
Route: Busto de Bureba – Medina de Pomar
Distance: 126 km
Parcours: Hilly
Look out for: Two ascents of Alto de Bocos, 3 km at 6.3%
What matters: Staying in the lead group after the second passing over Alto de Bocos
Stage 3 brings the puncheurs to the fore and right from the start, too, beginning with the 3.5 km at 5.5% Portillo de Busto climb. After that, the stage rolls on through the finish line before tackling a 26-kilometer circuit with two ascents of Alto de Bocos. This could act as a launchpad for victory if the first ascent is raced at full pace, or whittle the group down for a reduced bunch sprint in Medina de Pomar, with the finish coming 15 kilometers from the second peak.
5/24
Stage 4
Route: Gumiel de Mercado – Lagunas de Neila
Distance: 120 km
Parcours: Mountains
Look out for: The steep final climb, 6 km at 10%
What matters: Being well-positioned at the base of the final climb
The GC fight will likely all come down to the final stage and the ascent of Lagunas de Neila. Tree-lined and with steep ramps at the top, it will reward an explosive effort, with the stage result potentially mirroring that of the final general classification.
How to watch
USA
FloBikes from 8:30 am EDT / 7:30 am CDT / 6:30 am MDT / 5:30 am PDT
Canada
FloBikes
Europe
Eurosport/Discovery+/HBO Max (territory dependent) from 14:30 each day
UK
HBO Max/TNT Sports from 13:30 each day
Times correct as of the date of publication
What our athletes think
Yurani Blanco
After a good block of training at home, I’m feeling pretty good in these races. They’re in Spain, and I’m really enjoying them. For this race, Vuelta Burgos, I think we have a great chance of achieving a good result, both in the sprint stages with Silvia and Marit, and also on the hillier stages, where I believe we have a strong team. We have the winner of the queen stage in the Vuelta, Petra (despite her crash in Itzulia), and we’ll be fighting to get a good result in the race with its legendary finish at Lagunas de Neila.
The team also races in the Netherlands and Belgium this week at Veenendaal – Veenendaal on May 22, Antwerp Port Epic Ladies on May 24, and GP Mazda Schelkens on May 25. Carlotta Cipressi, Wiktoria Pikulik, Lily Williams, Jente Koops, Maggie Coles-Lyster and Kathrin Schweinberger will take on the tripleheader of one-day races.
Photos: GettySport, Human Powered Health, Vuelta a Burgos
