ROULEUR

Vuelta a España

Date: Saturday August 23, 2025 - Sunday September 14, 2025
Start: Piedmont 
Finish: Madrid 
Total distance: 
Stages: 21
Riders: 176
Teams: 22
Defending champion: Primož Roglič (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe)

VUELTA A ESPAÑA OVERVIEW 

The Vuelta a España, or La Vuelta, is one of cycling’s three Grand Tours, along with the Giro d’Italia and the Tour de France. Part of the UCI WorldTour, the three-week race is the most prestigious race in Spain and is now in its 80th edition. While it took time for the Vuelta to gain similar footing as the Tour and the Giro, overall victory at the race is a coveted prize that will often see the best riders in cycling go head-to-head to win. 

Like the other Grand Tours, the Vuelta is held over 21 individual stages with the general classification victory awarded to the rider with the lowest aggregated time at the end of the race. While the colour of the jersey for overall leader has changed numerous times throughout the race’s history, it made the switch from a yellow jersey to a red jersey in 2010 and has remained that way since. 

Although the Vuelta is similar in format to the Giro and the Tour, it still holds much of its own identity. The route, which changes every year, in recent editions has been defined by its aggressive amount of climbing, offering very little opportunity for stage wins to sprinters or rouleurs in the way of flat routes and time trials. 

Last year, Primož Roglič of Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe won the Vuelta for the fourth time in his career, equaling the record for the most wins at the Spanish Grand Tour with Roberto Heras.

VUELTA A ESPAÑA ROUTE 2025

The route for the 2025 edition of the three-week race will be unveiled in December 2024. 

VUELTA A ESPAÑA TEAMS 2025

While the 2025 team list has not yet been announced, it is expected that 22 teams will compete in the Giro d'Italia, with 18 of those being WorldTour teams who automatically receive a place on the start line and the four remaining places will be for second-division pro teams who are top-ranking or chosen as a wildcard by the organisers.

MOST VUELTA A ESPAÑA WINS

Four wins: Roberto Herras and Primož Roglič 

Three wins: Tony Rominger and Alberto Contador 

Two wins: Gustaaf Deloor, Julián Berrendero, José Manuel Fuente, Bernard Hinault, Pedro Delgado, lex Züelle and Chris Froome

RECENT VUELTA A ESPAÑA WINNERS

2024: Primož Roglič, Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe
2023: Sepp Kuss, Jumbo-Visma
2022: Remco Evenepoel, Soudal–Quick-Step
2021: Primož Roglič (Slo)
2020: Primož Roglič (Slo)
2019: Primož Roglič (Slo)
2018: Simon Yates (GBr)
2017: Chris Froome (GBr)
2016: Nairo Quintana (Col)
2015: Fabio Aru (Ita)
2014: Alberto Contador (Esp)
2013: Chris Horner (USA)
2012: Alberto Contador (Esp)
2011: Chris Froome (GBr)
2010: Vincenzo Nibali (Ita)
2009: Alejandro Valverde (Esp)
2008: Alberto Contador (Esp)
2007: Denis Menchov (Rus)
2006: Aleksandr Vinokourov (Kaz)
2005: Roberto Heras (Esp)
2004: Roberto Heras (Esp)