“Doing two Grand Tours in a year? It’s the mind that breaks first” – Italian icon warns of risks for riders doubling up at La Vuelta 2025

As the peloton edges closer to the start of the 2025 Vuelta a Espana, many riders are preparing to take on their second Grand Tour of the season. While the conversation often centres on physical form, weight management and recovery metrics, one former pro believes the real battle is psychological.

“Doing two Grand Tours in a year? It’s the mind that breaks first,” says the Italian cycling icon Michele Bartoli in conversation with Bici.Pro. With over a decade of experience in the peloton and now a key figure behind the scenes, his assessment cuts through the usual numbers-driven talk around performance peaks and tapering strategies.

While a Giro–Vuelta double has long been seen as a manageable combination, especially with a larger recovery window, Bartoli warns that the Tour–Vuelta turnaround is far less forgiving. “In that case, the margins are incredibly tight. If a rider needs more than 10 days to recover, you're already in trouble. Everything becomes a race against time – physically, logistically, and mentally.”

He suggests that in many cases, riders would be better off abandoning the Tour early if form is compromised and the Vuelta is a genuine target. “Completing a Grand Tour isn’t always useful. If you’re empty and the legs are gone, it’s better to stop, reset, and prepare properly for the next one.”

Interestingly, Bartoli, a five-time Monument winner, is quick to downplay the notion that physical decline is the biggest challenge when riders line up for their second Grand Tour. Thanks to advances in recovery protocols, nutrition, and data-driven training tools, most athletes can return to race-ready condition within a matter of weeks.

Even experienced pros, he says, are susceptible to the psychological drag. “You can be in peak condition, but if your head’s not in it, the performance won’t come. That’s why I tend to prefer working with veteran riders for a double Grand Tour – they know how to give clear feedback, they understand the sacrifices, and they can spot when they’re near the edge.”

While many World Tour teams are careful not to overload young riders too early, the Italian still sees Grand Tours as vital to long-term development. “For a young rider, missing a Grand Tour is a bigger deal than people think. It’s not just about experience — it’s about creating a more solid athletic baseline. A three-week race changes your physiology in ways no training block can replicate.”

That said, he acknowledges that data has helped bridge the gap between racing and preparation. “With the tech we have now — the monitoring, the nutritional planning, the recovery tools — even younger riders can handle a Grand Tour double, as long as they’re motivated. But without that internal drive, it becomes a serious liability.”

One major benefit of ending the season with the Vuelta? It sets the stage for a better winter. “There’s no question the off-season starts at a higher level after the Vuelta. You come out of it with deeper conditioning, better rhythm, and a much stronger platform for the next year.”

As the Vuelta looms, the conversation will inevitably turn to form charts and W/kg speculation — but behind the numbers, the mental aspect could be the difference between survival and collapse. In the words of Bartoli: “Between Grand Tours, the training doesn’t change much. The weight, the power numbers — they’re often the same. But riding that second Grand Tour? That’s when your head has to carry you. Because if the mind goes, it’s over — even if the legs are still there.”