“It will be very demanding”: Javier Guillen explains the key points of the 2026 Vuelta a Espana

The organisers of the Vuelta a Espana unveiled the route for the 2026 edition at an event held in Monaco, presenting a race defined by physical demand, accumulated elevation gain and a structure clearly oriented towards the Mediterranean arc and the south of the Iberian Peninsula. The start outside Spain and the inclusion of less common elements reinforce the distinctive character of a route designed to wear riders down and open up sporting opportunities from different angles.

In this context, Javier Guillen, the managing director of the Spanish Grand Tour, explained to AS the criteria behind the race design, the strategic decisions taken and the balance sought between innovation, tradition and spectacle. Below are his comments, organised by theme.

“It is a very powerful route. From a sporting point of view it will be very demanding and, in addition, I would highlight the internationalisation of the race, as starting in Monaco gives us a lot of quality and thanks to that we will be present in four countries. The opening time trial will be good, then the second and third stages in France already have some spice and from there we head to Andorra. More mountains. The surprise this year will be the sterrato on the Castellon stage, which is an innovative element as far as La Vuelta is concerned. The Mediterranean will act as a connecting axis for much of the route and the penultimate stage will feature an unprecedented finish that many had been calling for, the Collado del Alguacil. The final flourish will be finishing in Granada, with the Alhambra as the centrepiece.”

“In recent years we have seen an increase in the quality of the riders and we have to compensate for that with a tougher route, to try to make things a little more difficult for riders who are prepared for everything. That said, it is always in the interests of the spectacle and, of course, while respecting the essence of our sport.”

“We had it very much in mind for a long time. We knew it was time to return to the Comunitat Valenciana, Murcia, Andalusia and we also wanted to be present in the eight provinces of the latter. In addition, we will have the time trial in the final week, which will add interest, and we will also fulfil a dream in Granada. Alhambra means La Roja, the race leader’s jersey, and we have to sell arguments beyond the purely sporting ones.”

“The Iberian Peninsula is very large and every year we have a presence in the north. This time we wanted to finish in Andalusia, but it is also hard for us not to be in Cantabria, Galicia, the Basque Country. We always follow a rotating element and, of course, the intention is to return to those areas in 2027.”

“First of all, I want to thank Madrid for the enthusiasm it always shows for La Vuelta and reaffirm that it is our natural finish and will continue to be so from 2027 onwards. That will not change. What happens is that from time to time we ask Madrid for the possibility of not finishing there in order to discover other race finales, always of at least the same quality. It is about refreshing the route a little and that is thanks to Madrid’s generosity.”

“It is a climatic element that you may encounter and in Andalusia it will obviously always be there. We go in September, whereas last time it was in the middle of August, and once we get closer to those stages we will see what measures need to be taken regarding temperatures if necessary. It will not be an obstacle.”

“We have tried to find a combination of innovation and tradition. In addition, there is a lot of accumulated elevation gain and they will be stages that give us a lot of options. At La Pandera, for example, we link the climb of the Valdepenas de Jaen ramp, the new Collado del Alguacil in Granada, the ascent of El Bartolo through the sterrato sector and the descent on the asphalted side.”

“We were looking for something attractive, straightforward and feasible, something that goes hand in hand with the competition and is not an element that could distort things excessively, but rather accompany the route. We have some bullets saved in the chamber and this was one of them to use this year.”