A luxurious turnout with five winners in a grand race and a very attractive route where the Tourmalet and L’Algliru make spectacular high finals. These are the highlights of the 78th La Vuelta Ciclista a España race, which started today in Barcelona, with the 14.8km team time trial that will determine the first red jersey of the race. one of the best and most spectacular in history.
Everything indicates that this will be a great battle of the entire peloton against Jumbo-Visma. The Dutch squad includes Danish Jonas Vingegaard, who has won the last two Tour de France; and with Slovenian Primoz Roglic, winner of this year’s Giro d’Italia and aiming for his fourth win in the Spanish tour after victories in 2019-2020 and 2021.
Against them will be Belgian phenomenon Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-Quick Step), who retained his title last year.
Alongside this trio are British Geraint Thomas and Colombian Egan Bernal from Ineos. Two cyclists whose numbers have dwindled in recent years but who have the Tour de France in their palms.
El Tourmalet and L’Angliru will be the main mountain passes, but as with every edition, there will also be unprecedented finals such as Arinsal in Andorra (stage 3), Caravaca de la Cruz, Murcia (9th), Larra Belagua. , Navarra (14th), Bejes, Cantabria, (16a) and La Cruz de Linares, Asturias (18a). In addition, there will be no shortage of explosive arrivals, which are already typical, pursuing the goal of keeping fans alert every day and to the last mile.
The province of Alicante will once again be the protagonist of the Spanish tour. The eighth stage of 165 kilometers will be held on Saturday, September 2nd. It will leave Dénia on the coast and arrive at the top of Xorret de Catí.Another of the La Vuelta classics with up to 20% hard ramps.