The 2026 Vuelta a España is shaping up to be a thrilling spectacle, with the return of cycling superstar Tadej Pogačar at the peak of his powers. This year's race, which starts on August 22 in Monaco and finishes on September 13 in Granada, promises to be a climber's paradise, with over 58,000 meters of climbing and seven summit finishes in just three weeks. But what makes this Vuelta truly special is the opportunity for Pogačar to complete the career grand tour sweep, a feat that would place him among the elite of cycling history.
Pogačar's Return
Seven years after his spectacular Vuelta debut in 2019, Pogačar is back, and he's the overwhelming favorite to win. At just 20 years old, he left Spain with three stage victories, the white jersey, and third place overall, an extraordinary debut that hinted at the storm that was to come. Since then, Pogačar has dominated the sport, winning five Tour de France titles, the 2024 Giro d'Italia, and two world titles. La Vuelta, however, remains one of the few blank spots on his palmarès, and this year's course provides him with plenty of opportunities to change that.
Completing the Grand Tour Sweep
A victory in Granada would put Pogačar in the company of cycling's most exclusive clubs. With the Tour and Giro already on his résumé, winning the Vuelta would make him only the ninth male rider to win all three Grand Tours during his career. The others are Jacques Anquetil, Felice Gimondi, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, Alberto Contador, Vincenzo Nibali, Chris Froome, and Jonas Vingegaard. Pogačar's high-water mark is six stage victories, a number he hit twice in 2024, and he's expected to challenge for more this year.
The 2026 Course
The 2026 course packs seven summit finishes and two individual time trials into nearly 3,300km of racing. The race starts in Monaco, practically on Pogačar's doorstep, and finishes in Granada, Spain. The route sweeps west across France and Andorra before hitting Spain, with the first week featuring a mix of hilly and mountain stages. The second week sees consolidation in the general classification with two key summit finales, while the third week stays centered within sun-parched Andalucía before the historic finale in Granada.
The Favorites
While Pogačar is the overwhelming favorite, there are several other riders who will challenge for the podium. João Almeida, Pogačar's teammate and the 2025 Vuelta runner-up, is expected to play a supporting role. Enric Mas, the local Spanish favorite, is also in the mix, while Mattias Skjelmose and Cian Uijtdebroeks are rising stars looking to make their mark. Carlos Rodríguez, Felix Gall, and Mikel Landa are also expected to challenge, with the latter known for launching chaotic, unpredictable, long-range attacks.
North Americans in the Race
North Americans have always done well at La Vuelta, and this year is no exception. Kevin Vermaerke is confirmed as part of Pogačar's support crew at UAE, while Matthew Riccitello, Sepp Kuss, and Matteo Jorgenson are expected to race for other teams. The final start list is yet to be confirmed, but these riders will be looking to make their mark on the race.
The Jersey Evolution
The overall leader of the Vuelta a España wears the iconic maillot rojo (red jersey), which has undergone a colorful transformation over the decades. From orange in the first Vuelta in 1935, the jersey has morphed through different color schemes, depending on which sponsor was backing it. After ASO bought into La Vuelta, the jersey switched to yellow and then a golden color, before settling on its current iconic red.
The Oldest Male Grand Tour Winner
La Vuelta holds the record for the oldest male rider to ever win a three-week Grand Tour. In 2013, American cyclist Chris Horner won the overall classification at 41, defeating Alejandro Valverde and Vincenzo Nibali to take the win. Horner's victory remains a testament to the enduring spirit of cycling, where age is just a number.
How to Watch
No matter where you live, you can get your Vuelta fix. Major markets include the USA (NBC/Peacock), Canada (FloBikes), the UK (TNT Sports/HBO Max), Australia (SBS), and worldwide (Eurosport, RTVE, VRT, TV2, NOS, Supersport, J Sports, ESPN). Stages typically finish between 17:00 CET and 17:30 CET, right at siesta time, so be sure to tune in and catch the action.
