Date: Wednesday, 27 August
Distance: 24.1km (Team Time Trial)
Start/Finish: Figueres
Time: 16:37–18:30 CEST
Figueres: A Surrealist Start
The Vuelta finally crosses into Spain, arriving in Figueres, birthplace of Salvador Dalí. The surrealist master turned this Catalonian town into a living canvas, his influence most evident in the Dalí Theatre-Museum. It’s fitting, then, that the stage here offers its own paradox: Dalí thrived on disorder and dreamlike visions, while the team time trial represents pure structure, rhythm, and precision. Yet, like Dalí’s melting clocks, even the TTT can bend under pressure—weather, fatigue, and attrition threaten to disrupt order.
Stage 5 Odds
| Team | Odds | Team | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Team Visma – Lease a Bike | 2.62 | UAE Team Emirates | 2.87 |
| Ineos Grenadiers | 3.50 | Lidl-Trek | 15.00 |
| Groupama-FDJ | 21.00 | Movistar | 26.00 |
| Jayco Alula | 29.00 | RedBull-Bora-Hansgrohe | 41.00 |
| Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team | 67.00 | EF Education First – Easy Post | 101.00 |
| Soudal-Quick Step | 101.00 | Picnic Post NL | 126.00 |
A Different Kind of TTT
Traditionally, the Vuelta uses the team time trial to open proceedings. This year, it comes unusually late—on stage five. That shift introduces unpredictability: squads already weakened by crashes or withdrawals will feel the loss heavily, given the discipline’s reliance on strength in numbers. With 24.1km on flat roads, this test is longer than Barcelona’s chaotic 14.8km in 2023 and will almost certainly influence the general classification.
Key Contenders
Visma–Lease a Bike arrive with power despite losing Axel Zingle early. Jonas Vingegaard, Dylan van Baarle, Wilco Kelderman and Victor Campenaerts give them serious horsepower. Their opening week form suggests they’ll be contenders again.
Groupama–FDJ, holders of the red jersey with David Gaudu, bring a formidable engine room in Stefan Küng and Rémi Cavagna. If Gaudu can stay protected, they may defend their lead successfully.
Ineos Grenadiers look like the team to beat. With Filippo Ganna, Ben Turner, Magnus Sheffield, Bob Jungels, and Michał Kwiatkowski supporting Egan Bernal, they combine depth with momentum—Turner’s stage four win will only lift morale further.
UAE Team Emirates-XRG back João Almeida and Juan Ayuso with specialists like Mikkel Bjerg and Jay Vine. Similarly, Red Bull–Bora–Hansgrohe bring Jai Hindley and Giulio Pellizzari, supported by Matteo Sobrero and Finn Fisher-Black.
Lidl–Trek have been knocking on the door with near-misses earlier this week. With Mads Pedersen, Søren Kragh Andersen, and Daan Hoole, they have the balance to surprise. Jayco AlUla, consistent TTT performers, also warrant respect.
Prediction
The mix of distance, timing, and attrition makes this TTT more unpredictable than most. But on paper, Ineos Grenadiers have the most complete squad and should take the victory in Figueres, tightening the GC battle as the Vuelta heads deeper into Spain.
Follow our daily coverage of the Vuelta a España for more analysis, results, and insights from the race.