A luxurious showcase features five stage winners in a grand race, set against a route where the Tourmalet and L’Algliru promise spectacular high finales. These are the unmistakable highlights of the 78th La Vuelta Ciclista a España, which opened today in Barcelona with a 14.8km team time trial that will unveil the first red jersey of the race. The opening day hints at a competition that promises to be among the most thrilling and visually striking in the history of the event.
The peloton appears set for a fierce battle against Jumbo-Visma. The Dutch team brings a formidable lineup including Danish rider Jonas Vingegaard, who has claimed victory in the last two Tour de France editions. Alongside him rides Slovenian Primoz Roglic, the winner of this year’s Giro d’Italia, chasing a fourth La Vuelta title after triumphs in 2019, 2020, and 2021. The challenge from the front of the race is clear and intense, with Roglic and Vingegaard marking each other closely as the race moves across Spain.
Opposing them is the Belgian standout Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-Quick Step), who successfully defended his title from the previous edition. Evenepoel brings a blend of explosive power and strategic acumen, making him a constant threat whenever the roads tilt upward or the pace heats up on flat stretches. His presence ensures the race won’t be decided easily or early, and his attacks will be watched with keen interest by rivals.
In addition to this trio, the field includes British rider Geraint Thomas and Colombian Egan Bernal from Ineos. Both veterans have seen their form fluctuate in recent seasons, yet each carries the weight of a Tour de France victory in their palmarès and the experience to influence stage outcomes. Their leadership and capacity to ride at a high level in various terrains add depth to the competition and keep the overall GC battle open and unpredictable.
The mountaintop spectacles will be anchored by classics like the Tourmalet and L’Angliru, which consistently test the strength and endurance of every rider. Yet La Vuelta never relies solely on its iconic climbs. New and dramatic finales are anticipated, such as Arinsal in Andorra (Stage 3), Caravaca de la Cruz in Murcia (Stage 9), and Larra Belagua in Navarra (Stage 14). Other explosive finishes appear in Bejes, Cantabria (Stage 16) and La Cruz de Linares in Asturias (Stage 18). Each finish line is designed to catch riders off guard and reward bold, late moves that compress the overall standings and thrill spectators.
The Spanish race also leans into regional variety, offering route sections that maximize altitude changes and descent speeds, while presenting fans with daily suspense and dramatic scenery. The challenge is to manage fatigue, optimize team support, and time attacks precisely as the road grades intensify. The balance between sprint opportunities and ascent opportunities remains delicate, keeping the competitors vigilant from start to finish and ensuring that no day passes without decisive moments that redefine the contest.
The province of Alicante will once again shine as a focal point of this edition. Stage eight spans 165 kilometers and is scheduled for Saturday, September 2, departing from Dénia along the coast and finishing atop Xorret de Catí. This stage, one of La Vuelta’s enduring classics, is notorious for its steep ramps up to 20 percent that punish any lapse in pace control. The combination of coastal scenery, sunlit roads, and punishing climbs makes it a favorite among riders and fans alike, epitomizing the challenge and spectacle of the race.