Today was the 'Day in the Senate' of the Vuelta a España, ahead of its 90th birthday. The director of the race, Javier Guillén, addressed the senators to give them an accurate picture of what the race represents worldwide and what it gives to Spain, in statements collected by EFE.
"La Vuelta represents emotion, intensity and surprise; it generates a passion that touches us deeply. It is not just an event, it is a communication tool that gives visibility to millions of people around the world, reaching 190 countries and reaching 400 million viewers."
On the history of the race he commented as follows, "La Vuelta has gone through three different political systems, was interrupted by the Civil War and the Second World War. It was born thanks to the newspaper Informaciones and in 1935 fifty brave, almost adventurous people started this story."
"We carry the name of each territory through which La Vuelta passes, and through them we build an identity. When we mention the Lakes, everyone thinks of the Lagos de Covadonga; if we talk about the Angliru, even without having been there, we know it's a mythical pass."
The Vuelta unites Spain
In a country with little coexistence due to its political and social particularity, Guillén speaks of the Vuelta as a nexus of union:
"For me, La Vuelta is an element of territorial connection, the only event capable of reaching any corner, from big cities to small towns. We have finished stages on more than 40 little-known summits, generating a positive impact on both tourism and cycling tourism."
This is how he continued his speech, "Cycling appeals to us because we understand it: it is a demanding sport of endurance and sacrifice, reserved for those who face the epic. In the grand tours, that epic becomes a story. It is our duty to respect it and pay tribute to it. Let us not forget that there are only three three-week races in the world.
"Today cycling is also a technologically advanced discipline, with procedures comparable to those of Formula 1," Guillén concluded.
Fin MajorCycling Journalist
Fin Major is a UK-based writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2024. He is the site’s main writer for FAQs and evergreen explainers and has written around 2,000 pieces for the platform. Alongside this work, he focuses on in-depth analysis and covers the biggest races on the calendar, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, providing clear context around performance trends, tactics, and key storylines.
In his reporting, Fin uses reputable data sources such as ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. Outside of writing, Fin is an active cyclist, which supports his practical understanding of the sport and its demands.
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- guess what Valgren, you're 34, and no you're not good enough. sorry to say.mij14-11-2026
- I'm a sepp fan and like to think he earned that LOL, indulge me : ) I think Jonas was fine. Roglic did not want to concede to Sepp. and I don't think you ever attack your own teammate in the leaders jersey if he is holding his own, which Sepp just about was.mij14-11-2026
- enough time? he's 24 years old. He's won 10 races over the last 2 years and some are significant. I won't argue about his attitude being good - it needs to improve. But with some coaching and mentorship he has a lot of winning ahead of him and has plenty of time to win a GT. I don't think he will ever beat Tadej, but everyone else is fair game Look at Mas and Valverde - they were 31 and 29, respectively, when they won the Vuelta.mij14-11-2026
- Pogacar has a fine head on his shoulders.Careful investments and a couple of coffee shops sounds like a wonderful way to chill after an intense career.Stay healthy GOAT.
Brucegel14-11-2026 - I live in Maribor.PogiSloFans14-11-2026
- I live in Ljubljana and often go on trips in the surrounding area, where I frequently see young cyclists in 'Pogi Team' jerseys training, either alone or in groups. By simply motivating so many young people to take up cycling, Tadej has already achieved something truly significant.Velijo14-11-2026
- That's an excellent point. It's interesting that Vader came to that realization only after he learned that his contract wasn't going to be renewed.
santiagobenites14-11-2026 - Indeed! A reluctant gift maybe. Even more reluctant gift from Roglic! Tho I can’t see that Rog would have beaten Ving anyway.Lozza14-11-2026
- That really nasty crash in 2022 Liege must have played a big part - broken ribs, pneumothorax. You only have to look at his points tallies pre and post.Lozza14-11-2026
- Yeah, good luck getting tv and race organisers like ASO etc to part with their cash!Lozza14-11-2026
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