La Vuelta a Espana 2026 was officially unveiled at the Salle des Étoiles in the Monte-Carlo Sporting complex, Monaco. It will be the 81st edition of the Spanish Grand Tour and one of the most demanding in recent years, both for its route design and the accumulation of decisive days. The race will start in the Principality and follow an international course across four countries. After the opening stages in Monaco and France, the peloton will pass through Andorra before entering Spain on stage five, a territory it will not leave until the finish. The dates run from 22.08.2026 to 13.09.2026, with the finale in Granada.
The route features several notable omissions. There will be no visit to Madrid, a decision shaped by the clash with Formula 1 in the capital. Nor is a finish in the Canary Islands on the table, an option dropped following protests linked to an Israeli team that has since disappeared from the professional scene. The organisers have opted for a fully peninsular route once the race enters Spain.
In sporting terms, La Vuelta 2026 will include six clearly mountainous stages and between four and five opportunities for sprinters, balancing the route across rider profiles. One of the main novelties is the inclusion of sterrato on stage six, a surface rarely seen in the race’s history that could introduce key tactical and mechanical variables. For the second time, the race will visit all eight Andalusian provinces, reinforcing the South’s prominence in the decisive phase.
The final stage will not be a parade. Although it finishes in Granada, it is not designed solely for a bunch sprint. The Alhambra will play a central role in the route design and could influence the outcome, keeping the tension high to the very end. In total, the route covers 3,275 kilometres across 21 stages, with profiles confirming a demanding edition and multiple key points for the general classification.
Stage 1 - Monaco>Monaco - 22/08 - 9 km - Time trial
Stage 1 Vuelta a España - Monaco time trial
La Vuelta 2026 opens with a highly technical individual time trial through the urban maze of Monaco. The route, entirely within the Principality, will demand precision and bike-handling, with high speed and likely minimal gaps. The first leader’s jersey should be decided by very tight margins.
Stage 2 - Monaco>Manosque - 23/08 - 215 km - Medium mountains
Profile of stage 2 of the Vuelta a España 2026
The first road stage is also the longest of the edition. It starts with a technically demanding section, including urban segments and passages through towns such as Nice. Later, the peloton heads into Provençal landscapes on a friendlier profile that, on paper, points to a sprint finish.
Stage 3 - 24/08 - 166 km - Medium mountains
Stage 3 of the Vuelta a España 2026
The day opens on favourable terrain, then stiffens progressively as the race approaches the eastern Pyrenees. The Col de Mont-Louis appears as the first significant climb of this edition, the prelude to Font-Romeu’s debut as the first summit finish. This combination should trigger an initial selection, with a reduced group of two to three dozen riders already shaping up to fight for prominent positions in La Vuelta 2026.
Stage 4 - Andorra la Vella>Andorra la Vella - 25/04 - 104 km - Mountain
Stage 4 profile Vuelta a España 2026
The Spanish Grand Tour returns to Andorra’s high mountains with a short but brutal stage. The Port d’Envalira, first category, opens a chain that also includes the Collada de Beixalís and the Coll de Ordino, both first category, before the final ascent to La Comella, third category. A route built to force significant gaps and deliver the first serious shakeout among contenders, clarifying who can fight for a Top 10 in the general classification.
Stage 5 - Falset . Costa Daurada>Roquetes. Terres de l'Ebre - 26/08 - 171 km - Medium mountains
Vuelta a España stage 5: the profile
A day suited to riders who have already lost time to seek their chance from the break. Even so, the sprinters’ teams should assume control of the bunch, as this is one of the few clear opportunities for a mass sprint.
Stage 6 - Alcossebre>Castellón - 27/08 - 176 km - Medium mountains
Stage 6 profile Vuelta a España 2026
An enticing day on paper, defined by a dirt sector on the final climb. The start is twisty and should encourage an early break. After an initial passage over the category-two Desierto de las Palmas, the bunch tackles the same ascent again before turning toward the category-one Bartolo. On that decisive section, the riders face roughly three kilometres of sterrato before cresting and plunging into a fast descent towards Castellón.
Stage 7 - vall d'Alba>Aramón Valdelinares - 28.08.2026 - 149 km - Mountain
Stage 7 profile Vuelta a España 2026
La Vuelta 2026 hits its second summit finish here. The route heads into Aragón via the province of Teruel, with the category-two Puerto de San Rafael as a prelude to the final climb. A finish designed to open small gaps among the main GC contenders.
Stage 8 - Puçol>Xeraco - 29.08.2026 - 176 km - Flat
Stage 8 profile Vuelta a España 2026
The last opportunity for the sprinters in the opening week. Their teams must take control and reel in the break, while the fast men need to survive the category-two Barx in the finale if they want to contest the win in Xeraco.
Stage 9 - La Vila Joiosa/ Villajoyosa>Alto de Aitana.Costa Blanca - 30.08.2026 - 187 km - Mountain
Stage 9 profile Vuelta a España 2026
A brutally demanding day to close the first week. The route packs more than 5,000 metres of elevation and strings together six climbs, with El Miserat, category one, and the final ascent to Alto de Aitana as key hurdles. An extreme effort that could be compounded by high temperatures.
Stage 10 - Alcaraz>Elche de la Sierra - 01.09.2026 - 184 km - Medium mountains
Stage 10 profile Vuelta a España 2026
After the first rest day, the race moves to the province of Albacete for a rolling stage where the break could thrive if the sprinters’ teams fail to keep a firm grip on the bunch.
Stage 11 - Cartagena>Lorca - 02.09.2026 - 156 km - Flat
Stage 11 profile Vuelta a España 2026
Another chance for the sprinters in Lorca, though they must handle the category-three Morrón de Totana, crested at roughly 30 kilometres from the line.
Stage 12 - Vera>Calar Alto - 03.09.2026 - 166 km - Mountain
Stage 12 profile Vuelta a España 2026
Andalucía hosts a stern mountain stage. The classic pairing of Velefique and Calar Alto shapes a decisive day for riders targeting the general classification.
Stage 13 - Almuñécar>Loja - 04.09.2026 - 193 km - Medium mountains
Stage 13 profile Vuelta a España 2026
A lumpy day, with much of its difficulty packed into the first half. Hard to control for the teams, it suits powerful rouleurs or sprinters who climb well enough to stay in contention.
Stage 14 - Jaén>Sierra de La Pandera - 05.09.2026 - 152 km - Mountain
Stage 14 profile Vuelta 2026
Another high-mountain test where heat could add a layer of difficulty to an already tough route. Any lapse or off day on the ramps of the Sierra de la Pandera could severely damage a favourite’s GC ambitions.
Stage 15 - Palma del Río>Córdoba - 06.09.2026 - 181 km - Medium mountains
Stage 15 profile Vuelta a España 2026
Sierra Morena, in Córdoba, hosts a rolling stage over taxing terrain on the eve of the second rest day. With a classics-style profile, the break could profit on the traditional Córdoba finish, where a reduced group may fight for victory.
Stage 16 - Cortegana>La Rábida. Palos de la Frontera - 08.09.2026 - 186 km - Flat
Stage 16 profile Vuelta a España 2026
One of the last chances for the fast men. The first half, on a twisting route, could help a breakaway form, while the final section, completely flat and near the coast, may be shaped by crosswinds before an expected bunch sprint.
Stage 17 - Dos Hermanas>Seville - 09/09 - 189 km - Flat
Stage 17 profile Vuelta a España 2026
The flattest stage of the entire edition. An early move could animate proceedings, but the sprinters’ teams should have few problems controlling the peloton and setting up a sprint finish on the streets of Seville.
Stage 18 - El Puerto Santa María>Jerez de la Frontera - 10/09 - 32 km - Time trial
Stage 18 profile Vuelta a España 2026
The race tackles its second time trial, starting on the Cádiz coast, where wind could be a decisive factor. A day set to open meaningful gaps among the main general classification contenders.
Stage 19 - Vélez-Málaga>Peñas Blancas. Estepona - 11/09 - 205 km - Rolling with uphill finish
Stage 19 profile Vuelta a España 2026
The stage begins flat, but the Serranía de Ronda will pile on difficulty and fatigue before the final climb to Peñas Blancas. At this point in the race, it looks an ideal day for a breakaway with genuine winning chances.
Stage 20 - La Calahorra>Collado del Alguacil - 12/09 - 206 km - Mountain
Stage 20 profile Vuelta 2026
The penultimate mountain blockbuster brings maximum severity, with over 5,000 metres of climbing. A double ascent of Hazallanas, both first category, with the first-category Purche in between, will batter the legs before the final haul to Collado del Alguacil, 8,3 km at 9,8%.
Stage 21 - Carrefour Granada>Granada - 13/09 - 99 km - Flat
Stage 21 profile Vuelta 2026
Granada hosts the finale of La Vuelta, featuring the climb to the Alhambra as the showpiece of a city-centre circuit. The iconic monument will witness the champion’s coronation on a day likely to reward a punchy rider adept on short, demanding finishes.
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- In his years in the peloton, Evenepoel has had several major crashes that could have ended another person's career. In that, he is sadly similar to Roglic, whose crashes have had a huge impact on his still impressive palmares. I'd say the first thing that needs to happen is that everyone make it to the Tour safely. At that point? I don't think they stand a chance against the UAE engine, and the man who is only now (seriously?!) coming into what used to be the age of maturity, refinement, and full bodily development.RidesHills18-12-2025
- It must be hard for him to let go...somewhere in his mind he sees himself competitive. The reality of his entire time at IPT tells a different story altogether.Crashjames18-12-2025
- Not only that, but aside from JV, no one has remotely come close to Tadej level, and I seriously doubt Remco or Lipowitz will be there next year in the finales. That said, a lot can happen on the road in the next year, and I hope it's an epic battle among all of the top 10 finishers. It's a little anticlimactic to watch Tadej ride everyone off his wheel, even if it is super impressive to watch.Crashjames18-12-2025
- He couldn't finish in the top 100 at Unbound Gravel. He might be able to hold the wheel in a cat 3 crit but even that's debatable. Not being facetious.paule18-12-2025
- It isn't just the 5 million euros a year. It's also the never-ending hospital bills. Two weeks to go for Sylvan Adams to get out from under this mess.paule18-12-2025
- LOL, Del Toro, while very strong, is not currently racing at a level higher than Remco or Lipowitz. He can be by 2027 though and probably will be. You are discounting Remco's season this year, which his underperformance was caused by a crash that would have retired most people. He will be very strong this coming year as long as he keeps the rubber side down.awp18-12-2025
- It would be nice to see him have a healthy season and do well.JoeyB18-12-2025
- Aka the ‘junk drawers’Onepiece18-12-2025
- Marginal stainsOnepiece18-12-2025
- Business in the front. Farty in the backOnepiece18-12-2025
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