Stage 5 of the Vuelta a Burgos covers 137 km from Caleruega to the summit finish at Lagunas de Neila, a classic hilly finale that consistently rewards pure climbers and puncheurs. The 2.Pro classification attracts WorldTour squads using the race as Vuelta a España preparation, guaranteeing an aggressive, high-quality peloton. The Lagunas de Neila finish is one of the most demanding summit finishes in the Spanish summer calendar.
★★★★
Top Favorite
Oscar Onley (Hills 78, Climbing 79) stands out as the pick of the field given his elite stat combination, Legendary rarity, and INEOS's proven ability to control and deliver a leader on summit finishes. His recent form shows a best top-10 in similar hilly races, and with no major upcoming target listed, Burgos appears a genuine priority.
INEOS Grenadiers
INEOS Grenadiers
Oscar Onley tops the Hills stat (78) alongside Ciccone and Mas, but as a Legendary INEOS rider with a best top-10 in similar-profile races and an average position of 23.5 across 4 hilly races, he represents the best blend of raw stat and emerging form. INEOS will target this stage as a key opportunity on the Lagunas de Neila summit finish.
★★★
Strong Contenders
Enric Mas and Mikel Landa both combine Hills scores of 77-78 with a Climbing ceiling of 79, making them the most complete climbers in the race beyond Onley. Both are Vuelta-bound and will treat this stage as a key fitness and confidence check, giving them strong motivation to perform at their best.
Movistar
Movistar
Enric Mas matches Onley's Hills rating of 78 and carries a Climbing stat of 79, making him one of the most complete puncheurs in the field. With Vuelta a España on the horizon, Movistar will want a strong result here as preparation, and Mas has the pedigree to contest summit finishes.
Soudal Quick-Step
Soudal Quick-Step
Mikel Landa posts a Hills score of 77 and a Climbing stat of 79, the joint-highest climbing figure in the field, and has historically excelled at summit finishes in Spanish stage races. Soudal Quick-Step provides solid team support, and with Vuelta preparation in mind, Landa is motivated to perform.
★★
Dark Horses
Ben Tulett brings the best recent form of any high-Hills rider in the field, with two podiums and an average position of 22.0 in hilly races. Felix Gall and Giulio Ciccone round out this tier as Legendary/Epic-rated climbers with the physical tools to contest the summit finish, even if team roles and upcoming schedules introduce some uncertainty.
Visma - Lease a Bike
Visma - Lease a Bike
Ben Tulett (Hills 76, Climbing 76) has shown genuine hilly-race form with an average position of 22.0 and two podiums from five similar-profile races, including a best result of 2nd. Visma–Lease a Bike has the tactical nous to set him up perfectly for a summit finish.
Decathlon CMA CGM
Decathlon CMA CGM
Felix Gall carries an excellent Hills/Climbing combination of 77/79, the same climbing ceiling as Landa, and Decathlon CMA CGM is sending a competitive squad to Burgos ahead of the Vuelta. He is capable of a big result on a pure climber's finish like Lagunas de Neila.
Lidl-Trek
Lidl-Trek
Giulio Ciccone shares the highest Hills rating in the field (78) and is a proven attacker on hilly terrain, though his next target is the Canadian classics rather than the Vuelta, meaning he may be motivated to race aggressively here. His Legendary card reflects consistently elite performances in this profile.
★
Ones to Watch
Carlos Rodríguez, Pello Bilbao, Clément Champoussin, and David Gaudu all carry Hills scores of 76-77 and have the individual quality to feature in a top-10. Each faces a question mark — dual leadership at INEOS, Bilbao's sprint-focused profile, Champoussin's Vuelta fatigue risk, and Gaudu's inconsistency — that keeps them at outsider odds despite their talent.
INEOS Grenadiers
INEOS Grenadiers
Carlos Rodríguez (Hills 76, Climbing 77) is a credible dark-horse with a best finish of 8th in similar races and an average position of 29.2, but will be preparing for the Vuelta and may not go full gas. Still dangerous if INEOS use him as a co-leader alongside Onley.
XDS Astana
XDS Astana
Clément Champoussin (Hills 77) is a punchy climber who can animate races on hilly terrain and will be looking for form before the Vuelta a España. XDS Astana brings a capable support cast, and Champoussin has the profile to be in the mix on a short, steep summit finish.
Groupama-FDJ
Groupama-FDJ
David Gaudu carries a Hills score of 77 and has the attacking instincts to feature on a summit finish, with Groupama-FDJ sending a motivated squad to Burgos. His next listed race is La Polynormande, suggesting Burgos is a priority block, and he could surprise if fresh.
Bahrain Victorious
Bahrain Victorious
Pello Bilbao boasts the highest Sprint stat (71) among the top Hills-rated riders and a solid Hills score of 77, making him a threat if the finish comes down to a small-group sprint after the climb. His upcoming Lidl Deutschland Tour suggests he is in an active racing phase.
Verdict
Oscar Onley is the top favorite, combining the highest Hills rating with INEOS's tactical strength and a proven ability in summit-finish scenarios. Enric Mas and Mikel Landa are the most dangerous challengers, both boasting elite Climbing stats and clear motivation from their Vuelta preparation programs.