Vuelta al Táchira 2026 preview & startlist - Venezuela's top race opens up yearly calendar days after US intervention

The Vuelta al Táchira 2026 will once again open the UCI stage‑race season despite the capture of Nicolás Maduro by the United States. The Venezuelan race, now in its 61st edition, runs from the 9th to the 18th of January and returns to an ambitious format with ten stages and a route exceeding 1,500 kilometers, reaffirming its status as the country’s premier stage race and one of the continent’s most traditional events.

Included on the UCI calendar as a 2.2 event, the Vuelta al Táchira once more brings together national and international teams in a setting that has historically served both to test seasoned riders and to reveal new talents. The mix of terrain, fervent crowds and demanding profiles makes this a complete challenge from the first to the last day.

The official route of the Vuelta al Táchira 2026 was designed to offer opportunities to every rider type. Sprinters, rouleurs and climbers will all have clear chances, although, as tradition dictates, the mountains will again be decisive for the general classification.

The race will start in San Cristóbal, the historical heart of the Vuelta, and from there follow a course that crosses the states of Táchira, Barinas and Mérida, combining road stages, urban circuits and summit finishes. The diversity of the route forces teams to manage their effort, protect their leaders and stay focused across ten days of racing.

The opening stages between San Cristóbal and Socopó favour sprint finishes, although accumulated fatigue could spring surprises. The urban circuits, a Vuelta al Táchira staple, demand full focus due to their technical nature and the constant pressure from the crowds.

The mountain days, especially those crossing Mérida and finishing at the Monumento al Cristo Rey, are expected to shape the biggest gaps. There, climbers and GC contenders must show their best if they want to contest the overall title.

The ten‑stage format makes the Vuelta al Táchira 2026 an event where team strategy is paramount. A strong leader is not enough; squads must manage their effort, control breakaways, defend key positions and seize every opportunity the route provides.

The secondary classifications—mountains, points and intermediate sprints—add daily incentives and allow riders with different profiles to pursue their own targets. That guarantees lively racing, with attacks and tactical moves even on seemingly quiet days.

Early‑season racing always brings uncertainty. Many riders arrive short of race rhythm, opening the door to unexpected results and the emergence of lesser‑known names.

The Vuelta al Táchira 2026 will feature robust international participation, reinforcing its continental character. Teams from Colombia, Mexico, Bolivia and Cuba will be present, adding tactical variety and raising the competitive level.

Colombian teams, traditionally strong on this terrain, come aiming for stage wins and the overall. The presence of the Cuban national team adds a different dynamic, with riders used to racing as a tight unit and capitalising on collective strategy.

Venezuelan teams, for their part, face the race determined to uphold local prestige. The Vuelta al Táchira has historically favoured home riders, who know the roads, the climate and the demands of the route inside out. Experienced campaigners and young talents will share the spotlight in what promises to be a tightly fought edition.

Since its inception in 1966, the Vuelta al Táchira has become a benchmark of Latin American cycling. Over more than six decades, it has showcased riders who later excelled internationally and staged memorable mountain duels. Currently, it continues to have a large international presence due to its position in the calendar - and more so in 2026, only days after the USA's intervention in the country and capture of Nicolas Maduro.

The 2026 edition not only aims to uphold that tradition, but also to strengthen the race’s role as a development platform. For many young riders, this event is a key opportunity to impress teams and directors, while for veterans it is an ideal early-season form check.

The fans’ support, always large and passionate on Andean roads, remains one of the race’s great attractions. That atmosphere turns every stage into an intense experience for both riders and spectators.