"We'll be in Spain in a few days. That's where the 'real' Vuelta begins for me" - Vuelta contender puzzled by bizarre foreign start

In modern cycling, more and more Grand Tours start outside of their own countries - part of the sport's internationalization process. However it is in all scenarios unusual the start of this 2025 Vuelta a Espana, which starts with several days in Italy, has a finale in France, and will still have two stages either starting or ending in Andorra. Guillaume Martin questions the need for such immense moves in the first days of the race.

"It's a bit bizarre. For me, the Vuelta is inextricably linked to Spain. I'm looking forward to being on the Iberian Peninsula. I'm not a fan of long plane rides during a Grand Tour," Guillaume Martin admitted in words to Cyclism'Actu. "Luckily, we'll be in Spain in a few days. That's where the 'real' Vuelta begins for me."

Although it will make little difference on the road, it comes as a very unusual start for the final Grand Tour of the season, taking into consideration that the first four days of the competition take place fully within the two countries that already have their own Grand Tours. After stage 4, finishing near the city of Lyon, the riders will fly to Spain for a team time-trial. On stage 6 they race into Andorra, where they will also start stage 7.

"My lifestyle is more polluting than that of the average person. That's clear. I'm away from home 200 to 250 days a year. That doesn't mean I fly every day, but it's still the preferred mode of transport among cyclists. Those who fly have more recovery time. It's these extra hours of rest that sometimes make the difference, that enable us to deliver great performances in a race, to pedal harder the next day. And that's what we live on."

Martin will be starting his fifth Vuelta a España with similar goals to those of David Gaudu, both Frenchman are very similar riders and will be starting the race with the goal of winning a stage or potentially finishing in the Top10.

Gaudu, sixth at last year's edition, believes that would make for a successful race. "That would be great, yes. This race has often revived me, and I'd like that to be the case again this year. I'm still looking for the feeling, but that's part of a career and a season," he said to the French news outlet.

"It's true that the Tour de l'Ain didn't go as planned. But this isn't the first time I've felt a setback when descending altitude. Usually, it comes back with time. Right now, the main goal is to rediscover the pleasure and the thrill". Gaudu has had a rough season with an early-season injury pushing him down his best form, and the Giro d'Italia going by without a result to show for. After being absent from the Tour de France, he looks to turn around a complicated year on familiar roads where he's succeeded in the pat.

"Getting back into the top 10 overall would be a great achievement. But I'm not fixated on the standings. The first few days can already decide a lot of things. We have a summit finish in two days, so we'll see where we are after the first rest day. The main goal is a stage win with the team. We have a great team, a mix of experienced riders and young riders who can go for their first professional victory".