Stage 3 of the Vuelta a Burgos covers 184 km from Excavaciones Mikel in Merindad de Montija to the Balneario de Corconte in Valle de Valdebezana. The profile is classified as mountain with a flat finish, meaning the decisive climbing will be done before a reduced sprint or solo arrival at the spa resort. At 2.Pro level this race attracts genuine Grand Tour contenders using it as Vuelta a España preparation.
★★★★
Topfavoriet
Felix Gall is the standout pick for this Corconte mountain finish. He shares the top climbing score of 79 in the field and has converted that ability into results, recording five podiums in eight similar-profile races in the past 90 days with an average position of 9.8. No other rider combines his statistical quality with such a strong recent track record on this kind of terrain.
Decathlon CMA CGM
Decathlon CMA CGM
Felix Gall tops the climbing rankings at 79 and leads all riders in recent similar-profile form with an average position of 9.8 across 8 races including 5 podiums. His consistency in mountain finishes makes him the clear favourite for this Corconte summit finish.
★★★
Sterke Kanshebbers
Oscar Onley and Giulio Ciccone both carry 79 and 78 climbing scores respectively and represent the most credible threats to Gall. Onley's TT score of 72 is the highest among pure climbers, useful if the finish demands a long sustained effort, while Ciccone's hills score of 78 and three recent podiums in similar races confirm his climbing pedigree heading into the Canadian classics.
Lidl-Trek
Lidl-Trek
Giulio Ciccone carries a climbing score of 78 and the best hills score among the top group at 78, backed by 3 podiums in 8 recent similar-profile races. Although he has Quebec and Montreal on the horizon, this August date still falls within his peak preparation window.
INEOS Grenadiers
INEOS Grenadiers
Oscar Onley matches Gall's climbing stat of 79 and also boasts the highest TT score among the pure climbers at 72, giving him an edge in any technical final kilometres. With no upcoming Grand Tour listed he is likely fully focused on this race.
★★
Buitenbeentjes
Giulio Pellizzari, Carlos Rodríguez and Iván Sosa form a dangerous second tier. Pellizzari's best result of second in similar-profile races shows real ceiling despite inconsistent averages, Rodríguez is a proven top-five finisher in mountain stages, and Sosa's average of 13.2 in four recent similar races with a win-level best of second makes him arguably the most dangerous outsider in the whole field.
INEOS Grenadiers
INEOS Grenadiers
Carlos Rodríguez rates 77 in climbing with the highest TT score in the 77-climbing tier at 73, and has recorded a best of 5th in similar races across 4 starts. Though Vuelta preparation looms, a Burgos stage win would be ideal race sharpening.
Red Bull - BORA
Red Bull - BORA
Giulio Pellizzari posts a climbing score of 78 and a best result of 2nd in similar-profile races across 9 outings, showing he can challenge on mountain finishes. His average of 20.1 drags his overall form down but that single peak result is hard to ignore.
Kern Pharma
Kern Pharma
Iván Sosa has a climbing score of 76 and is the standout performer in the 76-tier based on recent form, averaging 13.2 across 4 similar-profile races with a best of 2nd. His lightweight pure-climber profile suits the Corconte arrival perfectly.
★
Om in de Gaten te Houden
Mikel Landa and Enric Mas bring the highest climbing scores on paper at 79 but both lack recent similar-profile form data, introducing risk. Pello Bilbao's punchy profile and race-ready condition ahead of the Deutschland Tour make him an interesting wildcard, and young Jarno Widar's single-race average of 4.0 in similar terrain hints at potential that is hard to dismiss entirely.
Movistar
Movistar
Enric Mas rates 79 in climbing with a hills score of 78, and his Vuelta preparation timeline makes a strong Burgos showing plausible. Lack of recent similar-profile form data introduces uncertainty.
Lotto Intermarché
Lotto Intermarché
Jarno Widar leads all riders in recent similar-profile average position at 4.0, though that is based on just one race. The 76 climbing score is solid for a young talent worth monitoring as an unpredictable outsider.
Soudal Quick-Step
Soudal Quick-Step
Mikel Landa tops the overall climbing list at 79 and the Vuelta is approaching, making this an ideal form-building race. However, at his age consistency is harder to guarantee and recent results data is absent.
Bahrain Victorious
Bahrain Victorious
Pello Bilbao posts a climbing score of 76 but the highest combined hills and sprint scores in his tier, making him dangerous on any hard finish that rewards punchy power. His upcoming Lidl Deutschland Tour suggests he is in a race-ready phase.
Verdict
Felix Gall is the clear top favourite, combining the highest climbing score with the best recent mountain-stage form in the field. Oscar Onley and Giulio Ciccone are his most dangerous challengers, while Iván Sosa emerges as the sleeper threat based on his best-in-tier recent results.