The Vuelta a España 2026, the 81st edition of the race, is the final Grand Tour of the season, with the race following the Giro d'Italia and Tour de France in the WorldTour calendar.
The route for the 2026 edition looks tailor-made for a climber, like Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) who won in 2025, although it is still the only Grand Tour missing from UAE Team Emirates-XRG Tadej Pogačar's trophy cabinet, so perhaps he could be tempted. Primož Roglič (Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe) will be going for a record fifth title.
Red jersey Primož Roglič leads the way on Stage 20, 2024.
Vuelta a España 2026: Key details
Date | 22 August 2026 to 13 September 2026 |
Total distance | 3275km |
Number of stages | 21 |
Start location | Monaco |
Finish location | Granada, Spain |
UCI Ranking | WorldTour |
Edition | 81st |
Total climbing | TBC |
2025 winner | Jonas Vingegaard |
TV coverage (UK) | TNT Sports, Discovery+ |
TV coverage (US) | Peacock |
Route map showing Vuelta a España 2025
Vuelta a España 2026: Stage-by-stage
Stage | Day | Start | FInish | Distance | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 24 August | Monaco | Monaco | 9km | ITT |
2 | 25 August | Monaco | Manosque (France) | 215km | Hilly |
3 | 26 August | Gruissan | Font Romeu | 166km | Medium mountains |
4 | 27 August | Andorra La Vella (Andorra) | Andorra La Vella | 104km | Mountains |
5 | 28 August | Falset (Spain) | Roquetes | 171km | Hilly |
6 | 29 August | Alcossebre | Castelló | 176km | Medium mountains |
7 | 30 August | Vall d'Alba | Aramón Valdenlinares | 149km | Mountains |
8 | 31 August | Puçol | Xeraco | 168km | Flat |
9 | 1 September | La Vila Joiosa | Alto de Aitana | 187km | Mountains |
10 | 3 September | Alcaraz | Elche de la Sierra | 184km | Hilly |
11 | 4 September | Cartagena | Lorca | 156km | Flat |
12 | 5 September | Vera | Calar Alto | 166km | Mountains |
13 | 6 September | Almuñécar | Loja | 193km | Medium mountains |
14 | 7 September | Jaén | Sierra de la Pandera | 152km | Mountains |
15 | 8 September | Palma del Río | Córdoba | 181km | Medium mountains |
16 | 10 September | Cortegana | La Rabída | 186km | Hilly |
17 | 11 September | Dos Hermanas | Sevilla | 189km | Flat |
18 | 12 September | El Puerto de Santa María | Jerez de la Frontera | 32km | ITT |
19 | 13 September | Vélez-Málaga | Peñas Blancas | 205km | Medium mountains |
20 | 14 September | La Calahorra | Collado del Alguacil | 187km | Mountains |
21 | 15 September | Carrefour Granada | Granada | 99.4km | Hilly |
Vuelta a España: The jerseys
Jersey winners of the Vuelta A España 2024
The red jersey of the Vuelta's general classification leader is now well established (it was previously gold, but changed in 2010). The leader of the mountains classification wears a polka-dot jersey, but its large blue spots mean it's very different to the one that riders in the Tour de France wear. The points leader's green jersey is lime green, while the jersey for best young rider (born after 1 January 1998), is white – familiar from the Tour de France.
There are other awards on offer as well, including the teams classification and a daily combativity award. Embellished jersey numbers, rather than jerseys, are on offer for this.
Vuelta a España 2026: The teams
2024 winner Primož Roglič celebrates with team Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe
There are 24 teams riding the 2024 Vuelta a España, including all 18 WorldTour teams and five second-tier ProTeams.
Vuelta a España: Past winners
2025: Jonas Vingegaard (Den) Visma-Lease a Bike
2024: Primož Roglič (Slo) Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe
2023: Sepp Kuss (USA) Jumbo-Visma
2022: Remco Evenepoel (Bel) Quick Step-Alpha Vinyl
2021: Primož Roglič (Slo) Team Jumbo-Visma
2020: Primož Roglič (Slo) Team Jumbo-Visma
2019: Primož Roglič (Slo) Team Jumbo-Visma
2018: Simon Yates (GBr) Mitchelton–Scott
2017: Chris Froome (GBr) Team Sky
2016: Nairo Quintana (Col) Movistar Team
2015: Fabio Aru (Ita) Astana
2014: Alberto Contador (Esp) Tinkoff–Saxo
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'People will know soon enough' - not retired yet, Chris Froome teases plans for future
The four time Tour de France champion has plans in the works, but he's not telling us - yet
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Primož Roglič baulks at suggestion of retirement: 'I want to race at this moment for 10 more years'
The four-time Vuelta a España winner will aim for a record-breaking fifth title in the Spanish Grand Tour in 2026.
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'It's not the most feasible option' – Tadej Pogačar unlikely to ride Vuelta a España in 2026
UAE sports manager Joxean Fernández Matxin makes clear that a fifth Tour de France is the priority
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Israel-Premier Tech uninvited from Italian race the Giro dell'Emilia over 'safety concerns' from pro-Palestine protests
We had to make this decision for reasons of public safety," race organiser Adriano Amici said
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'One of the best moments of my career' – Jonas Vingegaard reveals Tom Pidcock's mum suggested car park Vuelta a España podium
Speaking days after his triumph in Spain, Visma-Lease a Bike rider says he "still dreams" of winning Tour de France
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Cycling’s governing body says sport isn’t political – they’re wrong, everything is political
Opinion – the UCI’s response to pro-Palestine protests at the Vuelta a España is hypocritical, and short-sighted
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Vuelta a España protests 'call into question Spain's ability to host major international sporting events', says UCI
Barcelona set to welcome Tour de France Grand Départ in 2026
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One rule for Russia, another for Israel in cycling? Israel-Premier Tech race on, despite protests, while Russian teams remain excluded
Is cycling applying double standards when it comes to war crimes and sporting exclusion, asks Chris Marshall-Bell
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'This is a big deal' – Tom Pidcock finishes third at Vuelta a España and lands as Grand Tour contender
Q36.5 Pro Cycling rider becomes 10th British male rider to finish on the podium of a Grand Tour
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Jonas Vingegaard seals Vuelta win with a red Cervélo S5
He might not have been able to get into town with his tour winning bike, but he still chose to paint it red.
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'It’s very bad for cycling that the protesters managed to get what they wanted' – Vuelta a España ends with no final stage and a podium ceremony in a car park
Teams came together for a makeshift ceremony after a disrupted day in Madrid
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Who won the 2025 Vuelta a España?
The full general classification, along with the latest stage result, and the standings for the other jerseys
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Jonas Vingegaard wins Vuelta a España as protests curtail final stage in Madrid
Dane wins third Grand Tour of his career, but celebrations dampened as thousands of activists cause cancellation of stage 21
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Jonas Vingegaard closes on first Vuelta title after soloing to victory at Bola del Mundo summit
Tom Pidcock rides bravely to hold third place as Matthew Riccitello snatches the white jersey from Giulio Pellizzari
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‘I’m pretty proud of myself’ says Tom Pidcock after retaining third place at the Vuelta
The Briton is on the verge of the best Grand Tour result of his career after holding his own at Bola del Mundo
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5km cut from Vuelta’s Madrid finale as protesters threaten race’s final weekend
Pro-Palestinian and environmental protesters are targeting the final two stages in Madrid
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'We'll try to repeat it on Sunday' – Jasper Philipsen sprints to hat-trick victory on Vuelta a España stage 19
Jonas Vingegaard sneaks bonus seconds as red jersey battle enters final weekend
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Why do Ineos Grenadiers riders keep shaving their heads at the Vuelta a España?
'All in for the win, all in for the trim' is the team’s motto at the race
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‘In a short time trial like this you can’t make any mistakes’ - Filippo Ganna takes victory in nail-biting Vuelta a España stage 18 TT as Jonas Vingegaard clings onto the overall
The Ineos Grenadiers rider wins by less than a second in his team's third win of the race
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Vuelta a España stage 18 time trial start times
Jonas Vingegaard to begin effort at 17:17 local time in Valladolid
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Vuelta a España stage 18 time trial shortened for 'greater protection' amid protests
Organisers cut course in Valladolid by more than half to 12.2km
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Giulio Pellizzari romps to career first victory on Vuelta a España stage 17
The young Italian, wearing the white jersey, attacked to win solo at the summit finish
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'Utmost respect for those who are peacefully demonstrating' - Spanish cycling federation urges Vuelta a España protestors to mind rider safety
Federation asks for 'utmost care' from protestors, while Vuelta director vows race will continue to Madrid
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Egan Bernal claims victory on Vuelta a España stage 16 cut short by protests
Colombian takes first Grand Tour stage win since horror crash in 2022
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Vuelta a España stage 16 shortened due to more pro-Palestine protests on race route
Incident with 3km to go means road blocked, with race therefore shortened
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Jonas Vingegaard fighting all the way, Angliru brings out the best and UAE Team Emirates' crazy strength in depth – five things we learned from week two of the Vuelta a España
A look back over the middle week as the race takes shape ahead of the big push to Madrid
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Marc Soler wins Vuelta a España stage 14 from breakaway as Joao Almeida and Jonas Vingegaard deadlocked once more
UAE Team Emirates-XRG climber attacks in final 15km to take his fourth career Vuelta stage win
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Israel-Premier Tech remove ‘Israel’ from team kit for remainder of Vuelta after pro-Palestine protests
Team name remains the same, but kit changed to align with team vehicles
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'I've broken numerous power records at this Vuelta a España' – Tom Pidcock loses time on Angliru but continues to impress as a general classification rider
Q36.5 Pro Cycling rider remains in third overall after toughest test of race
