Utrecht, in the heart of the Netherlands, presents a stylish scene filled with bicycles as La Vuelta a España kicks off its 77th edition. This Spanish Grand Tour is shaping up as a tactical battle against Slovenian Primoz Roglic, who arrived as the favorite to claim a fourth straight victory after顶 the podium in the previous editions.
La Vuelta 2022 centers its drama in Alicante, where the peloton and fans alike focus on the Costa Blanca city. Ahead of the race, two rising talents from Spain, Juan Ayuso from Xàbia and sprinter Manuel Peñalver from Torrevieja, both riding for Caja Rural, travel to Alicante on Tuesday, 30 August for the 31st kilometer individual time trial stretching from the region’s capital to Elche.
Ayuso, just 19, sits among the brightest hopes for Spanish cycling, alongside Carlos Rodríguez. The Xàbia rider keeps a cautious, day-by-day mindset, noting that his recent Giro U23 stint offered up to ten days of racing and that he plans to gauge his form as the race unfolds. His words reflect a desire to finish with a strong taste in his mouth, acknowledging uncertainty while vowing to give his best shot.
Peñalver eyes his first professional victory at La Vuelta. A native of Torrevieja, he speaks of taking the race one day at a time, maintaining calm while pushing for a solid result. The sentiment echoes a collective view among riders that, in this field, nobody is easy to beat; the focus is on steady progress and competitive resolve rather than panic.
Quintana’s sudden withdrawal looms over the event after a dispute tied to a tramadol matter, casting a shadow over the festivities. Yet the race itself remains a monumental 3,280-kilometer journey divided into 21 stages, culminating in Madrid on September 11. The route promises ten high finish chances, two time trials (one for teams and one for individuals), and ample opportunities for every rider to shine.
Roglich stands as the main challenge for the lead. With the absence of world champions like Vingegaard and Pogacar, Roglic is perceived as the rider to beat. Slovenia is aiming for a fourth win despite the consequences of an earlier spinal injury suffered during the Tour. Yet Roglic appears resolute, declaring that he is here to win and fully prepared for the task ahead.
The field includes a strong international slate. Ecuador’s Richard Carapaz, the Olympic road race champion, features among the contenders, alongside Jai Hindley from Australia, who previously wore the Giro pink jersey, and Joao Almeida from Portugal. Past champions such as Simon Yates from Britain and Miguel Ángel López from Colombia are also in the mix. The popular dual threat of Julian Alaphilippe and Remco Evenepoel from Quick Step rounds out a star-studded lineup.
A notable moment will be the farewell of veteran Spanish rider Alejandro Valverde. At 42, Valverde steps away from La Vuelta with no expectation of challenging the general classification, but with a personal goal of adding a stage win to his storied career. On the Spanish side, Enric Mas remains a consistent contender, while Mikel Landa remains an unpredictable presence. Emerging talents include Carlos Rodríguez, the 21-year-old champion from Spain, and Alicante-born Ayuso at 19, both stepping into the spotlight and embracing the pressure of elite competition. The race scene is buzzing with anticipation as the season unfolds and new stories begin to take shape.