Barcelona will host opening two stages of Vuelta a España in 2023
Race organisers announced the Catalonian city will return for the first time since 2012
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

Race organisers have confirmed the 2023 edition of the Vuelta a España will start in Barcelona on August 19, with the Catalonian city hosting the first two stages, consisting of a team time trial on the opening day and the opening stage race the day after.
The race's official Twitter account announced the news, saying: "Barcelona will host the official start and the first two stages of La Vuelta 23."
Barcelona hosted the first official start of the Vuelta in 1962, with a stage 90km long that started and finished in the city. In recent years though, the city has featured more regularly as the final stage on the Tour of Catalonia.
💥 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗮 será la salida oficial de #LaVuelta23 y acogerá las dos primeras etapas. https://t.co/58eGkTbRqZJanuary 24, 2022
It last appeared on the Spanish Grand Tour back in 2012 during a flat stage from Andorra to the city, in which Belgian rider Phillippe Gilbert won.
While the final decisions for the course route haven't been made yet, race organisers want the time trial to arrive and start at distinctive places in the city.
The second stage from Barcelona is also undecided, though there are three options available to organisers. These include heading northwards to Andorra, riding west out of the city towards the region of Aragon, or travelling along the coast towards Valencia via Tarragona.
Councillor for Sports, David Escudé, said: "We had been waiting for a long time to be able to present this project. Finally, 60 years later, Barcelona will once again host the official start of La Vuelta. It has rained a lot since then. We work to host big events and it makes all the sense in the world to bring La Vuelta to Barcelona, a city linked to cycling for many years."
Javier Guillén, the general director of the Grand Tour, is also excited at the prospect of the Vuelta starting from Barcelona.
He said: "The fact that La Vuelta leaves Barcelona is a dream.
"[I have] a lot of personal affinity with Barcelona and I am especially grateful for the drive, passion and desire that both the sports councillor and the deputy mayor have put into this project."
However, there is still the small matter of the 2022 Vuelta a España before returning to Barcelona, starting in the Netherlands with a time trial through Utrecht. Stage two travels from 's-Hertogenbosch to Utrecht, while the final Dutch leg of the tour goes through and around Breda.
Tadej Pogačar has already signalled his intentions to win the race this coming year, but he will have to beat compatriot and three-time holder of the Vuelta Primož Roglič to the title.
Also appearing is 2009 winner Alejandro Valverde, in what will be the final Grand Tour appearance of his illustrious career.
Thank you for reading 10 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Ryan is a staff writer for Cycling Weekly, having joined the team in September 2021. He first joined Future in December 2020, working across FourFourTwo, Golf Monthly, Rugby World and Advnture's websites, before making his way to cycling. After graduating from Cardiff University with a degree in Journalism and Communications, Ryan earned a NCTJ qualification to further develop as a writer.
-
-
'They come to my country and kill kids': UCI's decision to allow Russian riders at World Championships draws passionate reaction
There has been a mixed response to the UCI's decision to allow Russian and Belarusian riders the opportunity to return to the international stage.
By Chris Marshall-Bell • Published
-
'I’m just bloody happy to win': Tao Geoghegan Hart delighted at ending long wait without a win
Ineos Grenadiers rider celebrates his first victory since the 2020 Giro d'Italia
By Chris Marshall-Bell • Published
-
All hail the conquering hero - Brussels goes crazy for Remco Evenepoel
Thousands gather in Belgian capital to sing world champion's name, and hear him DJ
By Adam Becket • Published
-
What I learned from watching season three of Netflix's Movistar documentary ‘The Least Expected Day'
Enric Mas battles to reach the top and 'Superman' brings the drama in the latest instalment of the Spanish Eastenders
By Tom Thewlis • Last updated
-
A call from the King, media madness and special eclairs: Belgium goes crazy for Remco Evenepoel
The 22-year-old is the first Belgian to win a Grand Tour since 1978
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Primož Roglič abandons Vuelta a España after stage 16 crash
The Jumbo-Visma rider was placed second in the general classification
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
Anger in Vuelta a España peloton as cycling refuses to change Covid protocols: 'We need to stop testing'
Teams are still operating in strict bubbles but the race has already lost several of its major protagonists
By Chris Marshall-Bell • Published
-
Reimagining what success really is with Jay Vine and Hugh Carthy
Does success really have to be defined by what's came before?
By Chris Marshall-Bell • Published
-
Kaden Groves powerfully sprints to Vuelta a España stage 11 victory
BikeExchange-Jayco took control of the closing stages of the race to give Groves his first Grand Tour win
By Ryan Dabbs • Published
-
Remco Evenepoel extends Vuelta a España lead with imperious time trial victory on stage ten
The Belgian completed the 30.9km course in 33-18, 48 seconds quicker than second-placed Primož Roglič
By Ryan Dabbs • Published