Stage 13 Reinstates Spain as the Backdrop for a Packed Weekend
In the thirteenth stage of the race, Danish rider Mads Pedersen, riding for Trek-Segafredo, returned to Spain after a demanding route spanning 168.4 kilometers. The day linked the Andalusian city of Ronda in Malaga with Montilla in Córdoba, sailing through rolling terrain and testing winds that could shake up the dynamics of the peloton. Remco Evenepoel, wearing the red jersey for Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl, expanded his lead as the race approached a weekend that promises a flurry of decisive moments. The profile of the stage suggested an uphill sprint could determine the outcome, adding an extra layer of suspense for the sprint specialists who would eye the finish with all the attention those last meters deserve.
Pedersen, who also donned the green jersey during the race, showed good form and defensive poise as the kilometers counted down. He remained a prime contender for a stage victory through the sprint, staying in touch with the race’s core ambitions despite persistent pressure from rivals. Germany’s Pascal Ackermann, riding for UAE Team Emirates, and Slovenia’s Primoz Roglic of Jumbo-Visma kept the pace high, launching late attacks that tested the cohesion of the group in the final kilometer. Yet Pedersen’s team weathered those attempts, keeping a steady line and ensuring a credible bid remained alive as the road narrowed toward the finish.
For the overall contenders, the day unfolded with a surprising calm. There were no dramatic shifts in the general classification, allowing those near the top to bide their time and save energy for the two critical days to come. Evenepoel, who carried a clear advantage into the weekend, seemed unfazed by the minor wobble he experienced earlier in the week, reconnecting with the rhythm that has kept him safely ahead. The stage thus set up two climactic days that could reshape the standings and inject fresh momentum into the race as it crosses into its most telling portions. The peloton finished with a collective sense of purpose, aware that the weekend’s difficult tests would require every ounce of endurance, technique, and strategic acumen to navigate successfully.