The route for the Vuelta a España 2026 was announced Wednesday evening. What immediately stands out: the race, as expected, will not finish in Madrid but will have its finale in the south of Spain. Vuelta boss Javier Guillén still describes it as a ‘typical’ Vuelta route.
The Vuelta a España in 2026 will largely take place in the south of the country. The race starts in Monaco, then quickly moves along the Spanish east coast down to the south. The last two weeks are entirely in the south. The Andalusia region is the big winner: cities like Córdoba, Seville, and Granada will all be featured, with the finale taking place in the Sierra Nevada.
How does Guillén, as the architect of the Vuelta, actually view the route? “The penultimate stage should be the decisive day in the battle for overall victory, featuring the new climb of the Alto del Alguacil. I think it’s a typical Vuelta. We don’t finish in Madrid, but it’s a very recognizable race,” he told Ciclo21.
“All stages are very interesting. The heat could play a significant role, but we don’t know that yet. Now we go south in September, not August. We have to consider that there are mountain stages above 2000 meters. The heat will definitely have an impact, but I don’t think it will be the decisive factor.”
Vuelta for the spectator
Another thing that stands out: next year’s Vuelta visits four countries—Monaco, France, Andorra, and Spain. “But we all speak the same language: cycling. Some riders will like it, others less so, but it’s always good to have sporting debates. It’s a tough route, but one that also takes the spectator into account.”
