when is the tour de spain 2023

• Associated Press ,

Trending Teams

How to watch the 2023 vuelta a españa: tv, live stream, schedule, stages and more.

• Mary Omatiga ,
• Mary Omatiga

MADRID, SPAIN - SEPTEMBER 15: Valerio Conti of Italy and UAE Team Emirates / Eros Capecchi of Italy and Team Deceuninck-QuickStep / Steve Morabito of Switzerland and Team Groupama-FDJ / Luis León Sánchez of Spain and Astana Pro Team / Peloton / Madrid Town Hall / Plaza Cibeles / during the 74th Tour of Spain 2019, Stage 21 a 106,6km stage from Fuenlabrada to Madrid / #LaVuelta19 / @lavuelta / on September 15, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Getty Images

The 2023 Vuelta a España begins on Saturday, August 26 and runs through Sunday, September 17 on CNBC and Peacock . See below for additional information on how to watch/live stream the event.

This year marks the 78th edition of La Vuelta which will cover approximately 3,153.8 km. The route, composed of 21 stages, begins in Barcelona, passes through Andorra, France, and Spain and ends in Madrid.

The 2023 Vuelta a España features 4 flat stages, 2 flat stages with high-altitude finales, 6 hilly stages, 7 mountain stages, 1 team trial and 1 individual time-trial stage. Riders will have a total of 2 rest days on Monday, September 4 and Monday, September 11. See below for an official map of the route.

Competition in this year’s event includes the defending Vuelta a España winner Remco Evenepoel , two-time reigning Tour de France winner Jonas Vingegaard , three-time Vuelta a España winner Primoz Roglic , and top American Sepp Kuss .

How to watch the 2023 Vuelta a España:

*All times are listed as ET and subject to change

2023 Vuelta a España Route:

😍 El mapa de #LaVuelta23 😍 😍 Here's the official route of #LaVuelta23 ! 😍 pic.twitter.com/BOAHgsrxOl — La Vuelta (@lavuelta) January 10, 2023

How can I watch the 2023 Vuelta a España and other cycling events on Peacock ?

Sign up here to watch all of our LIVE sports and events, including cycling.

What else can I watch on Peacock?

Here’s what else you get with Peacock:

• New movies straight from theaters—plus hundreds of movies from major Hollywood studios such as Universal, DreamWorks Animation, and Focus Features.
• Thousands of hours of hit TV shows, including highly anticipated Peacock Originals and current hits from NBC & Bravo.
• Peacock Channels playing your favorite movies, shows, and clips 24/7. Scroll less and stream more with NBC Sports on Peacock, SNL Vault, Fallon Tonight, TODAY All Day, and True Crime.
• The most LIVE sports of any streamer, including Sunday Night Football and Premier League.
• Kids’ movies and shows, including Where’s Waldo? and Curious George.
• Hit Spanish-language TV shows and news from Telemundo.

What devices does Peacock support?

You can enjoy Peacock on a variety of devices. View the full list of supported devices here .

The Can’t-Miss Stages of the 2023 Vuelta a España

The Vuelta a España–the season’s third and final grand tour–starts this Saturday—here’s a look at five stages you won’t want to miss.

This year’s Vuelta covers a total of 3,153km (1,955mi) over 21 stages, including a team time trial, an individual time trial, 15(!) stages with uphill or summit finishes, and one of the deepest list of contenders in any grand tour in the last 10 years. Here are five stages you won’t want to miss:

Stage 3 - Súria to Arinsal, Andorra (158.5km) - Monday, August 28

The Vuelta’s GC battle should begin in earnest as early as Stage 3, with the first summit finish of the Spanish grand tour. Beginning in Súria, the stage heads north toward the principality of Andorra, nestled high in the Pyrenees. The road climbs steadily for much of the second half of the stage, culminating with two Category 1 climbs: Coll d’Ordino (8.8km at 5.1 percent) followed quickly by the final climb to the finish line in Arinsal (8.3km at 7.7 percent). There are bonus seconds to the first three riders to the top of the Ordino, meaning the race could explode–even though it’s just the third day–near the summit, launching an aggressive race down to the valley and then up to the finish.

Stage 8 - Dénia to Xorret de Catí, Costa Blanca Interior (165km) - Saturday, September 2

The first week ends with two tough stages that should set the tone for the second week’s GC battles. Of the two, Stage 8 looks like it could be more explosive. Beginning along the Mediterranean coast in Dénia, the race quickly heads into the hills of Spain’s Costa Blanca, where five categorized climbs–and high temperatures–will be ready to greet the peloton. These climbs will make it hard for the riders to establish a rhythm, which means whichever team is protecting the race leader will have a tough time controlling the race.

The final is by far the toughest: the Category 1 Xorret de Catí. It’s just 3.9km long, which isn’t much, but it’s incredibly steep with an average gradient of 11.4 percent and a 2km section in the middle of the climb with pitches of 15 percent, 21 percent, 22 percent, 19 percent, and 18 percent. That’s gonna do some damage to an already tired peloton. The riders will summit the climb just 3km from the finish line, after plunging down a quick descent. Both a day for puncheurs and GC contenders, this could turn out to be the most exciting finale of the Vuelta’s first week.

Stage 13 - Formigal, Huesca la Magia to Col du Tourmalet 135 km) - Friday, September 8

Stage 13 brings the Vuelta back into the Pyrenees, for a monster climbing stage featuring four major summits and over 4,000m of climbing crammed into just 134.7km.

The day begins in Formigal, near the French border, and the climbing begins immediately with the Category 3 climb over the Puerto de Portalet (4.4km at 5.4 percent) and into France. The climbing begins again as soon as the riders hit the valley floor with the “Beyond Category” Col d’Aubisque (16.5km at 7.1 percent) followed quickly by the Category 1 Col de Spandelles (10.3km at 8.3 percent).

But it’s the final climb that has us most excited: a summit finish atop the most famous climb in the Pyrenees–the “Beyond Category” Col du Tourmalet (18.9km at 7.4 percent). The Tourmalet is often used in the middle of stages finishing on other climbs or in towns down the valley, but it’s been featured three times as a summit finish in the Tour de France and once in the Tour de France Femmes–just a few weeks ago, in fact.

These climbs are some of the most famous Pyrenean ascents in Tour de France history and the Vuelta organizers are sending a message by including them all in such a short stage–and in such quick succession. This is one of the most brutal stages in the race, and anyone hoping to win the Vuelta will need to be at his best on this difficult stage.

Stage 17 - Ribadesella/Ribeseya to Altu de L'Angliru (122.4km) - Wednesday, September 13

The reason we call Stage 13 “one of the most brutal stages in the race” is because Stage 17–a super-short (122.4km) stage with three categorized climbs including a summit finish on the “Beyond Category” Altu de l’Angliru–might give it a run for its money. Taking the riders through the rugged region of Asturias the stage begins on the coast and quickly heads inland for three categorized climbs, including two Category 1 ascents before the Angliru (12.5km at 9.8 percent).

Since the Vuelta first tackled it in 1999, the 12.5km climb has become one of the hardest in professional cycling. It’s more fierce than it looks on paper: the first 5.5km are actually rather easy, but the final 7km have an average gradient of about 13 percent, with five ramps at or above 20 percent. In 1999, some riders had their mechanics mount triple chainrings on their bikes, to give them extra-low gearing for the climb’s steepest pitches. Now riders just use compact gearing and cassettes with large cogs to keep their cadences high–or if they’re off the back, make it to the finish inside the time cut. And if it rains–as it often does in the Asturias region–the stage could be even more lethal.

Stage 20 - Manzanares El Real to Guadarrama (208km) - Saturday, September 16

In case the race still hasn’t been settled yet, the champion of the 2023 Vuelta will certainly be decided on Stage 20, an ascent-filled slugfest through the Guadarrama Mountains outside of Madrid.

This one’s just cruel: first of all it’s the longest stage of the Vuelta, at 207.8km. And it includes ten categorized climbs. Yes, they’re all Category 3 ascents–and some of them will be climbed more than once as the riders complete a series of circuits through the range. The day’s final climb of the day–the Alto San Lorenzo de el Escorial (4.6km at 6.6 percent)–comes just 12km from the finish line, making this the perfect place to launch a stage- and/or race-winning attract.

It’s a perfect day for riders who excel on the shorter, punchier climbs in races like the Ardennes, which make perfect as the Vuelta’s top-2 contenders: Belgium’s Remco Evenepoel and Slovenia’s Primož Roglič (Jumbo-Visma) have each won Liège–Bastogne–Liège. If the two riders are close heading into the final weekend, expect fireworks–if they have anything left in their legs to provide them.

Since getting hooked on pro cycling while watching Lance Armstrong win the 1993 U.S. Pro Championship in Philadelphia, longtime Bicycling contributor Whit Yost has raced on Belgian cobbles, helped build a European pro team, and piloted that team from Malaysia to Mont Ventoux as an assistant director sportif. These days, he lives with his wife and son in Pennsylvania, spending his days serving as an assistant middle school principal and his nights playing Dungeons & Dragons.

.css-1t6om3g:before{width:1.75rem;height:1.75rem;margin:0 0.625rem -0.125rem 0;content:'';display:inline-block;-webkit-background-size:1.25rem;background-size:1.25rem;background-color:#F8D811;color:#000;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-position:center;background-position:center;}.loaded .css-1t6om3g:before{background-image:url(/_assets/design-tokens/bicycling/static/images/chevron-design-element.c42d609.svg);} Racing

How to Watch Dwars door Vlaanderen

Should We Worry About the Tour de France Femmes?

2024 Ghent-Wevelgem | Results & Highlights

How to Watch 2024 Ghent-Wevelgem

Mathieu van der Poel Ditches the Mullet to Win E3

Owen Cole: UAE Team Emirates’ New Young American

Chloé Dygert Returns to Peloton at Brugge-de Panne

E3 Saxo Classic Recap

Why Are There Goats at Paris-Roubaix?

Mark Cavendish Knocked Down By Illness

How to Watch the E3 Saxo Classic

Route Analysis | Profiles & Route Vuelta a Espana 2023

Profiles . The 2023 Vuelta a Espana will be taking place from the 26th of August to the 17th of September 2023. The Spanish Grand Tour is the final one of the season, one that consistently delivers a balanced mix of mountainous, hilly and flat stages, always giving opportunity aswell to the time-trialist, and those who are resorting to the Vuelta for their final big chances of the year to take a prestigious win.

In this article the list of stages for the 2023 edition is listed, as revealed on the 10th of January in the race presentation in Barcelona, Spain. It will be a mountainous race as for usual. Several details were already heavily rumoured before the reveal, such as summit finishes at Andorra, Col du Tourmalet and the Alto de l'Angliru.

PREVIEW | Vuelta a Espana 2023 - Evenepoel faces Roglic and Vingegaard; Angliru headlines brutal mountainous route

Final startlist vuelta a espana with evenepoel, roglic, vingegaard, ayuso, almeida, ganna, thomas, landa and mas.

The race will start with a 14.9-kilometer long team time-trial in Barcelona starting at the Olympic port. It will create some small differences and make for a spectacular start to the race in the capital of the Catalunya region.

Play along with our Fantasy Vuelta a España 2023. At least $28,000/€25,000/£21,000 in prizes! Click here to create your own Fantasy Vuelta a España team.

It is a day that will be showing the best out of the city and will be a slightly technical day. There will be 18 corners of 90 degrees or around that, it makes for an unusually technical and explosive team time-trial, not the typical powerhouse-suited but one where riding in the wheels will be harder than usual.

This will make for a difficult run for whoever sets foot on the start line. The opening minutes specially will be technical, riders will need to be wary not to crash, as then in the second half there will be longer straights where the specialists will be able to put their power down better.

PREVIEW | Vuelta a Espana 2023 stage 1 - Jumbo-Visma and INEOS Grenadiers main favourites for opening time-trial

Stage two will be similar to that of the 2012 stage where Philippe Gilbert and Joaquim Rodriguez blasted away from the peloton. It's a hilly day, however not overly hard. The challenges will come as the riders return to Barcelona and will face the short but explosive hilltop of the Alto de Montjuic. The stage will end right after by the Olympic stadium.

There is an uphill start and by all means, the first two thirds of the day are quite hilly and later in the race it would be a day suited to a breakaway. But here it's unlikely, a red jersey will be on the line but plenty teams will seek it, the run-up to Barcelona is flat and allows for big gap cutting from the peloton, and besides the final kilometers, the run-up to Montjuic is certain

The climb is very sharp. Lately the Volta a Catalunya has returned to this vertent, it's 900 meters at 8.7% but it's gradients go as high as the double of that. It's an anaerobic effort, there won't be big splits at the summit but immediately the riders take on, with 3.7 kilometers to go until 1.5Km to go, a very fast and slightly technical descent where the gaps will grow in space (although not necessarily in time).

The race will momentarily solidify but immediately the riders hit the hilltop finale into the Olympic stadium. The gradients average 4/5%, it is not one for the sprinters even if some survive relatively close to the front, several of the climbers/puncheurs will benefit from the gradients. A late attack has quite good chances of surviving too.

PREVIEW | Vuelta a Espana 2023 stage 2 - 15% Alto de Montjuic to explode overall classification in thrilling finale

There is absolutely no time to settle in. Stage three will see the riders head north towards Andorra where they will find the first summit finish of the race. It is a high-mountain stage. After entering the microstate the riders will go up two ascents and finish in Arinsal where the first big selection should be made.

The stage starts in Spain, in Súria. The start is flat but after 20 kilometers the riders find some hilly terrain, there is potential for a breakaway with quality to go up the road. Most of the day is flat, straight, typical transitional. But then the riders cross the border to Andorra and the race changes. An intermediate sprint antecedes the first ascent.

This is the first category Coll d'Ordino, not climbed via it's traditional side. It's 17.5 kilometers at 4.9%, mostly a big ring climb, it will not create differences but will be a warm-up. At the summit there are bonifications, although it's unlikely that riders will be burning matches with the big climb that is still to follow. The summit comes with 21 kilometers to go and the descent is very technical, almost straight into the base of the final climb.

The riders pass the town of Arinsal and then climb towards the summit finish. The climb is 8.3 kilometers long at 7.6%. The first half straightforward, the final kilometers slightly steeper and with several switchbacks. This is a climb where attacks can come towards the end, and riders will enter the ascent relatively fresh, it's not necessarily a day to take it at pace.

PREVIEW | Vuelta a Espana 2023 stage 3 - Arinsal summit finish the first big mountain test for Roglic, Evenepoel, Vingegaard, Thomas and more

On the fourth day of racing however the riders return to the coast. It will be a fast ride back into Tarragona near Barcelona, with the route having a slight downhill tilt, however with a couple of hilltops towards the finish that won't make life easy for the sprinters.

The start is in fact mostly in a slight downhill. The riders depart from 798 meters of altitude and arrive at 66, there is a small hilltop after 60 kilometers of racing but until then the race will be set. The riders then find two categorized ascents. 9Km at 3.7% with 54 kilometers to go, then 4.5Km at 5.6% with 31 kilometers to go. The last one is not an easy one, and taking into consideration the mostly downhill finale afterwards some teams could ally to permanently drop a few sprinters.

Most likely however bullets will be saved for the run-up to the finish. There the finale is relatively simple until the final kilometers. A couple of roundabouts, then with 1.7km to 900 meters to go the road rises slightly. The peloton finds a turn with just under 500 meters to go which will be crucial, from there on the riders have an uphill drag to the line with around 5% average, not one for the pure sprinters, it will be an interesting finale.

PREVIEW | Vuelta a Espana 2023 stage 4 - Kaden Groves man to beat in race's first bunch sprint

Stage five from Morella to Burriana is a tricky one. A day for the sprinters on paper however, as is classic at the Vuelta a Espana, it features the 'rompe-piernas' terrain which will throughout the day benefit attackers and make the pure fast men suffer in the small but repetitive climbs.

If a bunch sprint is to take place a breakaway can only be given a very small leadout throughout the entire day. The start is at 914 meters of altitude and then end at sea level, so there's a lot of descending terrain, but equally there are many small ascents where bringing back gaps is a tough task. The start has uphill ramps and the pan-flat roads only really come with 15 kilometers to go. It's a difficult one to control.

However, assuming it does come back and a bunch sprint happens, it will be a very fast one. A few roundabouts in the town of Burriana, from 2.8km to 800 meters to go there is a flat straight, and then the finishing straight are those final 800 meters, pan-flat and straightforward with no obstacles, but right by the sea where the wind can make a difference.

PREVIEW | Vuelta a Espana 2023 stage 5 - Breakaway a threat on day that is mostly designed for the sprinters

On the sixth day of racing the riders ride into a familiar sight for the second summit finish of the race. It will be at the Observatorio Astrofisico de Javalambre where the finish line will be positioned, with it's 12 kilometers at 7% providing terrain for differences to be made amongst the GC men. It's a day that is seemingly almost flat until the final climb but that's incredibly far from reality.

The riders start off which a 4.4-kilometer climb at 5%, and then they find several similar to that throughout the day. The 183 kilometers see only three categorized climbs, only one meaningful ascent, but it has 4000 meters of climbing. By no means will the riders arrive fresh to the ascent of the Observatorio Astrofísico de Javalambre.

The ascent is 11.1 kilometers at 7.5%. Completely exposed to the sun, and wind if it's present, it's a tough ascent. The gradients are relatively constant in it's final kilometers between 8-11%, the start is relatively calm but with the fight for positioning the pace will be high. This is a stage that has Vuelta written all over, it will also be an important day for the overall classification, and one that forces the GC riders to be at their best early on.

PREVIEW | Vuelta a Espana 2023 stage 6 - Javalambre climb the first test for Remco Evenepoel in red

Stage seven will be a good sight for the peloton who find a flat stage. The first half of the day will largely be downhill which means the peloton can't afford to give the breakaway much of a gap, but the run-in to Oliva will be pan-flat.

However it's another day which finishes at significantly lower altitude than the start, 700 meters, which means fast speeds which favors breakaway. The opening half of the stage will be quite hilly in fact, featuring no categorized climb but plenty small hilltops where some fatigue will be created. However the second half of the day should be gentle enough to keep things under control.

It is most likely a day for a bunch sprint, through roads the peloton will know very well. The riders pass through the outside of Gandia and then finish very close to the area where dozens of teams train throughout the winter. In the town of Olivia is where the finish line will be, not an overly technical finale but a nervous one. The final corner will come with 350 meters to go and there will certainly be a sprint towards that, and then a second sprint towards the line.

PREVIEW | Vuelta a Espana 2023 stage 7 - Will Filippo Ganna win his first World Tour bunch sprint?

In cycling country, the riders set off from Dénia where many had their team training camps early in the year. However what follows is certainly harder, with five categorized climbs and many more en route to Xorret de Catí, where the steep gradients will see further damage done in the GC fight.

Another day without any brutal ascent before the finale but absolutely packed with climbing. Over 3600 meters of climbing with four categorized ascents in the first two thirds of the day, and plenty more uncategorized. The first 20 kilometers of the day are flat however, not ideal for the breakaway opportunists. The longest ascent of the day will have bonus seconds attributed at it's summit, the 11.1-kilometer Puerto de la Carrasqueta summits with 54 kilometers to go and averages 4.6%.

From there on follow rolling roads, several small hilltops where, if it's in the breakaway, the fight for the stage win will certainly explode as riders look to anticipate the final ascent. That one is a well known feature in the Vuelta, that is the incredibly steep Xorret de Catí.

The climb is 3.8 kilometers at 11.4%, but it's a mean climb in every aspect. It slowly steepens until it reaches 15% and then the riders face several minutes of racing at that gradient. There is no moment of restbite and not a single switchback in the ascent, it's a pure W/Kg challenge up the short ascent which can create big differences. The summit is at 3.6 kilometers to go, following is a very fast steep descent and the final 900 meters which slightly rise to the line.

PREVIEW | Vuelta a Espana 2023 stage 8 - Brutal Xorret del Catí the next major challenge for Evenepoel, Roglic, Vingegaard and others

Stage nine, the final day of the first week, doesn't show any mercy for those who dislike climbing. It is a hilly stage, likely one for the breakaway, as the riders tackle an interesting finale in Caravaca de la Cruz. An interesting day, a classic Vuelta stage I would say, the profile is very unusual and the final climb is as inconsistent as they come.

After a flat start the riders find the Puerto de Casas la Marina la Perdiz. It is 12.1 kilometers at 4.9%, however it does feature a small descent close to the summit. It is still very far away from the finish however, afterwards are a bunch of rolling hills and a plateau ride into the town of Caravaca de la Cruz. The finish is in the hills surrounding the town, an ascent that is something special.

The climb is 8.1 kilometers at 5.4% but the average doesn't tell the story. There are five small descent or flat sections spread all throughout the ascent. It is essentially a combination of ramps, on twisty explosive roads. Most riders will eye the final 3.5Km, the gradients will rise as high at 17%, and then the final kilometer averages close to 8%. It's not a climb that the riders will be able to ride at pace, it's a very difficult effort which can prove to be very complicated to manage for some.

PREVIEW | Vuelta a Espana 2023 stage 9 - Explosive Caravaca de la Cruz expected scene for battle between Evenepoel, Jumbo and UAE

The riders head into the second week of racing with the only individual time-trial of the race taking place. This will be in the city of Valladolid where the 25 kilometers against the clock will be a key challenge for those eyeing the red jersey.

This is an interesting time-trial when looking at the map. Profile wise it's virtually pan-flat, it does feature a small 500-meter long ramp early on but it's not what will be changing the outcome of the stage. When looking at the map you realize that the whole time-trial is within the city, all 25 kilometers of it, as the organizers drew a route which in it's first third rides around the same spot virtually but back and forth through some roads.

This won't make a change in the type of rider who can fight for the victory, but is an interesting aspect. The second half is almost completely an out-and-back time-trial, using the same avenue but in different directions. The riders will get the sense that they're racing around the same location throughout the whole time-trial but the distance allows for there to be meaningful gaps at the finish.

PREVIEW | Vuelta a Espana 2023 stage 10 - Filippo Ganna big favourite for flat time-trial; Evenepoel and Jumbo-Visma enter direct clash for red jersey

Very similar to the ninth day of racing, stage 11 is a complicated day due mostly due to it's finale. It's a stage that features little climbing but has a slight summit finish. This time in Burgos at La Laguna Negra, it's an explosive finale where several can contest the win.

163 kilometers on the menu and honestly not really much to mention. Virtually the entire day is flat, with small ascents as is always the case on Spanish roads, but no intermediate sprints, KOM points or anything too special. Then it heats up towards the finale, the organizers have put in yet another summit finish where the climbers will have to go to the limit.

It's not an overly hard climb, 6.6 kilometers at 6.6%. The speeds will be very high, the riders will enter fresh, so I expect a lot of slipstreaming and the lack of aggressive racing. The steepest section of the ascent will exactly be it's end, the final 500 meters have the road go at around 10%, it's most likely a stage to ride in the wheels and then fight for seconds in an anaerobic final kilometer.

PREVIEW | Vuelta a Espana 2023 stage 11 - Fireworks or GC stalemate as Laguna Negra de Vinuesa?

Stage 12 will be one of the brief but valuable opportunities for the pure sprinters. The day sees the riders go through 151 kilometers eastwards towards Zaragoza for a virtually inevitable bunch sprint. A seeming tradition in this year's route, the start line is at 989 meters of altitude and the finish at 210, so overall a downhill profile to the day.

However on this day there is very little to report, there are few obstacles for the fast men. A small hilltop after around 33 kilometers and another after 110. These won't be true climbs however, only the wind can cause difficulties on a day like this for a Grand Tour peloton.

However the riders will find an urban sprint. Entering Zaragoza, they then face a ride through the city, not overly technical but road furniture, section where the road width changes are always present. The main point to take into consideration will be the corner with 1.3 kilometers to go which is the final one, but from there on there is still space to regain position, the finale is flat and without anything unusual.

PREVIEW | Vuelta a Espana 2023 stage 12 - Before the high mountains, a return to the bunch sprint

The queen stage? Some were queen to call it that. Stage 13 was one that had been highly rumoured and turned out to be exactly as expected as the race heads into the Pyrenees, with a mammoth mountain stage. Not by size, as it extends over only 134 kilometers, but they are constantly up and down. The riders will go up the Col d'Aubisque and Col de Spandelles which individually are both very hard ascents, before the summit finish at the Col du Tourmalet above 2000 meters of altitude.

The stage immediately starts off climbing with the Puerto de Portalet, 4.4Km at 5.4%. A long descent follows, and then the serious climbing will begin. Almost immediately in fact, it is the famous Col d'Aubisque, one of the longest and toughest ascents of the Pyrenees, on this day only the first of three very difficult climbs. It is 16.6 kilometers long and a constant ascent averaging 7% which summits with 86 kilometers to go.

A descent follows which leads the riders at the base of the Col de Spandelles. This was a climb that saw plenty action in the final mountain stage of the 2022 Tour de France. Here it's unlikely to see the same type of move, however the potential is there. At it's summit there are still 52 kilometers to the finish, but with over 10 kilometers at 8% and packed with switchbacks, it can see the race break apart.

After it's descent comes the one real flat section of the day, however it is not too long. The riders gradually begin to climb into Luz-Saint-Sauveur, the base of the Tourmalet. 18.7 kilometers at 7.4%, very constant and with it's summit at 2115 meters. This is a day, and a final climb suited to the pure climbers. No getting out of it, it's a day that can see very big differences and the first of two key days in the Pyrenees.

PREVIEW | Vuelta a Espana 2023 stage 13 - Monster mountains in a day where Sepp Kuss faces red jersey challenge

The peloton will leave the Pyrenees, but not before another incredibly hard mountain challenge. Stage 14 from Sauvaterre-de-Béarn and Belagua will feature the Col Hourciére and the Port de Larrau in quick succession, both HC category climbs into the Spanish border. The stage will still see a first category summit finish at Belagua to wrap a very hard day.

If raced aggressively, this could end up being the queen stage. As is usually the case at the Tour de France however, the organizers decided to go with a flat start. This will not be good for the climbers looking to form a breakaway, it can end up limiting the tactical moves from the bigger teams. However after 50 kilometers of riding the mountains arrive.

The first of which is the Col Hourcère, it's 11.6 kilometers at 8.3%, in terms of profile incredibly similar to the Alpe d'Huez, coincidentally it also features plenty switchbacks. It summits with 91 kilometers to go however it's hard enough for any kind of attack that teams may plan.

The descent comes and leads the riders right to the base of the next climb, so there is very little time to reorganize. The Puerto de Larrau will follow quickly after, it's 15 kilometers long at 7.9% but is even harder than the average suggests. It's first 10 kilometers average over 9%, it's another brutal climb, two in a row will make it a very difficult mission.

There is a steep punch to it's summit which comes with 47 kilometers to go. The descent will now not be as long, in fact only a few kilometers long before reaching the third climb of the day, the easy by comparison Portillo de Lazar which summits with 33 kilometers to go, it's 3.2 kilometers at 5.8%.

Then there is a transition phase until the final climb. The riders have entered Spain but will come to the literal border with France once again. The climb to Belagua won't be as hard as the previous ones, however with the fatigue built up it can certainly be as dangerous. It's 9.4 kilometers long at 6.3%, it's final kilometer almost flat, most of the climb hence being a little steeper than the average. It is a climb that features plenty switchbacks, so the constant gradients don't mean that it's a hard place to attack.

PREVIEW | Vuelta a Espana 2023 stage 14 - With Kuss, Roglic and Vingegaard completing the podium, how will Jumbo-Visma race?

Stage 15 will be a hilly and explosive day, fit for the puncheurs and classics riders. The finale will be in Lekunberri after the riders take on the double ascent of the Puerto de Zuarrarrate. The riders will be happy to leave the high mountains however they must be fully focused for a day that features quite a few traps.

A technical and bumpy start is golden territory for a quality breakaway to form. This can see GC riders try out their luck in a day where GC teams want to save their legs most likely, but it's also prone to split which can be equally as dangerous. When it comes to the fight for the stage win - and GC battle, if it takes place - it will come down to the final circuit, in and around Lekunberri.

The riders will on two occasions climb the Puerto de Zuarrarrate which is 6.3 kilometers at 5.1%. Plenty riders can soar up an ascent such as this, it's a very open day. It summits with 38 and 9 kilometers to go, the descent is fast and straightfoward. Up the final ascent, if a rider goes solo over the summit it'll be near impossible to be brought back.

PREVIEW | Vuelta a Espana 2023 stage 15 - Breakaway day the end of an explosive second week

Stage 16 will be a very short day through the rugged Spanish north, with a brutal summit finish. It is a very untraditional stage format, but the day will be decided in the ascent to Bejes where the gradients will reach up often above 10% for almost five kilometers.

A truly remarkable day when it comes to how differently the organizers design stages. This, the first day of the final week, is almost designed to see incredible watts in the final ascent. Close to the sea, the race has 115 kilometers which are rolling but without any meaningful ascent. It's all about the final ascent to Bejes the day.

The finish will be just outside the scenic village. The climb is 4.9 kilometers at 8.7%, starting off very steep, having a bit of a flat section in it's middle, and then rolling along on gradients of mostly 10% all the way into the line. A grueling summit finish, it will make for interesting viewing, tactics won't matter much but instead it'll mostly be about the legs.

PREVIEW | Vuelta a Espana 2023 stage 16 - Sepp Kuss has lead tested in another tough summit finish

Stage 17 will be a brute, and an absolutely mythical day of climbing. The Asturian monster of 2023, the riders will be climbing the Alto de la Colladiella and the Alto der Cordal - both first category climbs - before directly riding up the Alto de l'Angliru for a summit finish. Almost 13 kilometers at 10% with several ramps over 20% will make for very large differences.

It is a very short day in terms of distance, 125 kilometers with a flat start - the Tour de France playbook was used once again. Ultimately it'll mean very little action to start off the day, it'll all be saved for the final half. The Alto de Colladiella will open things up with it's 6.5 kilometers at 8% finishing with 49 kilometers to go.

However the GC riders will begin to gauge their efforts more carefully afterwards. In 2017 Alberto Contador attacked in the Alto del Cordal, it's 5.7 kilometers at 8.5%, steep and with plenty switchbacks, the descent is exactly the same and leads to raiding territory. The only reason why it ends up being unlikely is because what comes next is a climb of breathtaking toughness.

From the base of the descent to the final climb. The mythical Angliru is 12.3 kilometers at 10%. The first half not too difficult, with some tough gradients but never above 10%, and it even includes a kilometer long flat section. What is brutal is what follows. 6.5 kilometers at 13.3%, with several sections where the gradients go above 20% - the steepest being the famous Cueña les Cabres at 23.5%.

It's just gruesome, there's very little that teammates can do here, it'll be down to the individual strength of the riders who try to get to the summit the fastest. Those behind will likely struggle just as much however. The summit of the climb is inside the final kilometer, the organizers place the finish line in a small descent after the peak.

PREVIEW | Vuelta a Espana 2023 stage 17 - Can Sepp Kuss seal the deal at the mythical Angliru?

Stage 18 will be another brutal day in the Asturias, a proper high mountain stage with three first category climbs among others. The finale will be atop La Cruz de Linares which the riders will be riding up on two different occasions with 8.5 kilometers at 8%.

The start is not too difficult, but it does feature some hilltops early enough to see the climbers trying to form a strong group ahead. The race will begin to be really hard at the Puerto de San Lorenzo, it ends with 90 kilometers to go, unlikely a place for attacks because in reality much of the toughness on the day is still to follow, however it's 10 kilometers at 8.5% - which take into account a flat section - are enough to cause havoc.

The Alto de Tenebredo is an ascent I'd say the same about. It is shadowed by the brutal long ascents that sandwich it, but on it's own it's crazy hard, with 3.4 kilometers in length, most at above 10%, the average is close to it but it does feature a small descent. This one ends with 58 kilometers to go. But only then will the riders head into the final circuit where the big attacks are expected.

This will be a double ascent of La Cruz de Linares. The final true big climb of the race, it's 8.2 kilometers at 8.5% average gradient. Not the most constant climb, it features a bit of a plateau near the top, it also sees gradients almost constantly in the 10% in it's first half. A brutal one. The riders will summit it with 25 kilometers to go, and after a fast descent and small flat section, they will have to do it all over again.

PREVIEW | Vuelta a Espana 2023 stage 18 - Sepp Kuss' red jersey closer and closer to fall towards Jonas Vingegaard or Primoz Roglic

A transition stage. The 19th day of racing at the Vuelta a Espana will see the riders race from La Bañeza to Íscar on what is a perfect day for the sprinters. No climbing, no more small ring riding, it will be a well deserved calmer day in the peloton. That is of course, until the final kilometers, where for different reasons some will hit the front to protect their ambitions.

This stage will be all about the sprint - as long as the wind doesn't blow hard on the exposed plains the peloton will ride by. Technical features you won't see them, a very simple and plain finale, one that I can't throw any criticism because it diminishes the chances of there being crashes.

The final kilometers are pan-flat, the final corner will be there with 2.3 kilometers to go. It's a finale where timing will be key. There won't be thinning down or narrowing points, so it's a matter of coming to the front at the right time, a balance between staying in the wheels as late as possible and saving as much as possible within circumstances.

PREVIEW | Vuelta a Espana 2023 stage 19 - Surviving sprinters get a much deserved opportunity following the mountains

The final day of competitive racing. The Vuelta a Espana has once again surpassed itself in what has proven to be a very popular profile amongst fans. The day will not feature a single long ascent, but will be riddled with climbs throughout a whole 208 kilometers. It will be in the Sierra de Guadarrama that the race will be decided as the riders take on 10 categorized climbs and several others where the climbers may be out of their comfort zone and lose it all.

The final day of competitive racing. The Vuelta a Espana has once again surpassed itself in what has proven to be a very popular profile amongst fans. It is a confusing, messy, explosive day if you've ever seen one as a final GC challenge for a Grand Tour. It is in my eyes brilliant, the climbers have spent three weeks battling in the many mountain stages and summit finishes for the GC, but now in the final day they find a long day with 10 medium-sized categorized climbs, and plenty others.

It is a bumpy ride in the Sierra de Madrid. The riders can see the finale but they first have 4400 meters of climbing, without a single long ascent. The day starts off immediately with a 10.8 kilometer climb at 3.4% - which is on profile a combination of two hilltops. Then follows a 7.1Km climb at 5% which is ultimately the longest of the day.

Then two laps of a circuit with La Escondida (8.8Km; 4.2%), Alto de Santa Maria de Alameda (5Km; 5.6%) and the Alto de Robledondo (3.9Km; 6.2%). This can be a key part of the course, in the space of 32 kilometers the riders find four ascents and nothing but descents inbetween, no flat terrain whatsoever (on both laps). On the final passage, they will have 84, 67 and 61 kilometers to the finish. After it's descent comes another uncategorized ascent with 2.6Km at 6.8% which ends at 46 kilometers to the finish in Guadarrama.

Then the race can stabilize a bit, but it does not mean it'll get easier. The peloton tackles the Puerto de la Cruz Verde which is 7.3 kilometers at 3.9%, featuring a steeper finale than the average gradient suggests. The descent is steep and fast into the final climb. The riders enter San Lorenzo de El Escorial, town which has hosted on many occasions the end of the stage when these mountains are tackled.

This time however the riders climb through town, the final ascent of this race is 4.5 kilometers long at 6.6%, not too hard but it features a section as steep at 18%. It's such a harsh finale to the climbing in this race, riders will already have almost 200 kilometers of roller-coaster by this moment and the slightest of weak moments can lead to big losses and a complete change in the GC.

The riders descent back into the plain and then the final 8 kilometers will be flat. This will lead those who survived into Guadarrama for the finale of the stage, gaps aren't expected but there is still a mean ramp to the finish line.

PREVIEW | Vuelta a Espana 2023 stage 20 - Remco Evenepoel's last win opportunity, Sepp Kuss' red jersey final challenge and Jumbo-Visma celebrations

The race finally reaches it's end, into Madrid. A short flat day with no difficulties, it will be a big reward for the fast men who've survived a brutal race to make it into Madrid.

The day will see the peloton ride into the city where they will tackle a 5.8-kilometer circuit a total of nine times. The riders will have an 180 degree turn with 3.5 kilometers to go and a sharp right hander with 2.4 which will be natural selection points, with the bunch stretching out. The final straight will be 1.1 kilometers long after a long roundabout, with the bunch sprint set to be a regular one, hopefully with no crashes in sight.

PREVIEW | Vuelta a Espana 2023 stage 21 - Final opportunity for the sprinters, as Jumbo-Visma complete historic achievement

Read more about:, place comments.

You are currently seeing only the comments you are notified about, if you want to see all comments from this post, click the button below.

Confirmation

Are you sure you want to report this comment?

UNDER_ARTICLE

Tue 26 Mar 2024

Wed 27 Mar 2024

• Milano Cortina 2026
• Brisbane 2032
• Olympic Refuge Foundation
• Olympic Games
• Olympic Channel
• Let's Move

Vuelta a España 2023: Preview, full schedule and how to watch live

Can newly crowned time trial world champion Remco Evenepoel defend his overall title from 2022? Or will Jumbo-Visma’s multiple Grand Tour winners Primoz Roglic and Jonas Vingegaard get the better of the Belgian? Here is all you need to about this year’s race, which starts on 26 August in Barcelona, Spain.

The last big Grand Tour of the 2023 men's road cycling season is just around the corner.

Some of the best general classification riders have announced their presence at the Vuelta a España 2023 , including defending champion Remco Evenepoel , three-time Vuelta winner Primoz Roglic and two-time Tour de France winner Jonas Vingegaard .

Home favourites Enric Mas and rising star Juan Ayuso will be eager to become the first Spanish winner since Alberto Contador in 2014, after finishing second and third in the 2022 edition. 

This year’s 78 th edition of La Vuelta will cover 3156,5 km, starting in Barcelona on Saturday (26 August) and finishing in the Spanish capital Madrid on Sunday (17 September).

22 teams and 176 riders will be at the start line of the first stage at Platja del Somorrostro, where the only team time trial of any Grand Tour this season will decide who is going to wear the first coveted red leader’s jersey.

Read on to find everything you need to know about the Vuelta a España 2023.

• How to qualify for road cycling at Paris 2024. The Olympics qualification system explained

2023 UCI Cycling World Championships in Glasgow: All final results and medals - complete list

• Cycling: Full list of men’s and women’s road race world champions

Remco Evenepoel: Top facts you might not know about Belgium's cycling phenom

Vuelta a españa 2023 general classification riders to watch.

Following the win in the Clásica San Sebastián and the 2023 World Championships time trial title in Glasgow, Scotland, Remco Evenepoel enters the Vuelta in great form and as one of the big favourites.

The 2022 road race world champion was leading this year’s Giro d’Italia after stage nine but had to withdraw due to a positive COVID-19 test.

Last year, the reigning champion was battling with 2023 Giro d’Italia winner, Primoz Roglic , for the overall win but just as the Slovenian was gaining back some time on Evenepoel, the four-time Grand Tour winner had to pull out as the consequence of injuries he sustained in a crash. The Olympic time trial champion is coming into the race with a fresh overall victory from Vuelta a Burgos.

Roglic’s teammate, 2023 Tour de France champion and co-captain, Jonas Vingegaard , has not raced since the Grand Tour victory. The great Dane is doing two three-week stage races in the same season for the first time but must still be considered among the main contenders.

37-year-old Geraint Thomas will lead the INEOS Grenadiers team in Spain. The 2018 Tour de France winner suffered a heart break on the penultimate stage of this year’s Giro d’Italia, as he saw Roglic stealing the pink leader’s jersey by just 14 seconds before the finish in Rome.

Movistar talisman Enric Mas was forced to abandon the Tour de France on opening day in Bilbao, after fracturing his right scapula. The three-time Vuelta a España runner-up chose not to ride the Vuelta a Burgos as preparation, and his condition remains a question mark.

Juan Ayuso of UAE Team Emirates was the big revelation of the 2022 Vuelta, finishing on the podium aged just 19. This season he has continued his remarkable rise, winning the time trial in both Tour de Romandie and Tour de Suisse, where he also took second in the general classification - just nine seconds short of the victory.

The Spanish youngster was on his way to claim the Prueba Villafranca last month but crashed in the final corner. Luckily, he did not suffer any serious injuries.

On the UAE team Ayuso will share the leadership role with 25-year-old Joao Almeida . The Portuguese was third overall in the Giro in May and came second in Tour de Pologne that concluded earlier this month, only one second behind the victorious Matej Mohoric .

Olympic road race champion Richard Carapaz , who went down in the same crash as Mas in the Tour, will not be able to make his comeback at the Spanish Grand Tour. The 2019 Giro d’Italia winner has not fully recovered from his knee injury sustained at the Tour de France. 

Alexandr Vlasov from BORA - Hansgrohe also deserves to be mentioned, having finished twice in the Top Five in a Grand Tour. The 27-year-old had to withdraw from the Giro on stage ten this year. Meanwhile, he seems to be back to full fitness, taking third place in Clásica San Sebastián and second overall behind Roglic in Vuelta a Burgos.

Other key riders at the Vuelta a España 2023

Green jersey (points classification).

La Vuelta a España is known for offering very few opportunities for pure sprinters, and this year’s course is no exception. A very mountainous route in the Spanish Grand Tour means that many of the traditional sprinters’ teams have left out the fast finishers in their roster as it favours the type of sprinters who can also climb well.

Soudal-Quick Step, who usually target stage wins, have not included neither Tim Merlier or Fabio Jakobsen prioritising a squad that can fully support Evenepoel in the mountains.

Last year’s winner of the points classification, Mads Pedersen , will not appear on the start line in Barcelona. We might even see one of the general classification riders claim the green jersey, which was the case between 2017 and 2020.

It leaves the field of contenders very open. Juan Sebastián Molano has previously showed he has the speed to win a Grand Tour stage by winning the final stage of the Vuelta in 2022, and he is going into the race with a fresh stage victory from Vuelta a Burgos. The Colombian also delivered a strong finish in stage four of the UAE Tour this year, beating the likes of Dylan Groenwegen , Tim Merlier and Fernando Gaviria . If the 28-year-old Molano gets the green light to go for stage victories from his UAE team, he is one to look out for.

Gerben Thijssen of Intermarché-Circus-Wanty has claimed three professional wins during this season, including the Ronde van Limburg where he outsprinted Caleb Ewan .

His compatriot Milan Menten from Lotto Dstny is an outsider in the battle for the green jersey, having multiple top five finishes this year and a prestigious win in the semi-classic Le Samyn.

Danny van Poppel has been one of the best lead-out men in the peloton in recent years but the Dutchman will most likely get a chance to go for stage wins himself this time. The 30-year-old BORA-hansgrohe rider has already won a stage at the Vuelta back in 2015. In the BEMER Cyclassics that took place six days before the start of La Vuelta, van Poppel was the runner-up in a strong field full of talented sprinters.

Another Dutchman, 24-year-old Marijn van den Berg , has had his breakthrough this season. He is a versatile rider with a fast finish. At the Tour of Poland, he secured his first stage victory in a World Tour race. The EF Education-EasyPost rider has never ridden a Grand Tour before.

Spain’s Jon Aberasturi is a rider with multiple top ten stage finishes in the Vuelta. The 34-year-old of Lidl-Trek is a solid rider, and his consistency can put him in the mix in the fight for green.

Polka dot jersey (mountains classification)

The winner of the polka dot jersey in the Vuelta a España - unlike the Tour de France - rarely competes for the overall victory.

Richard Carapaz took the jersey in the last edition. Who can benefit from his absense? 

Breakaway riders with strong climbing skills are the main contenders. Watch out for Santiago Buitrago or the always aggressive Lennard Kämna . The Italians Giulio Ciccone and Filippo Zana might also aim for the polka dot jersey.

Men's Road Race - Cycling Road | Tokyo 2020 Replays

Vuelta a españa 2023 key stages.

Just like last year, the 2023 Vuelta a España begins with a team time trial. The route in Barcelona is only 14.8 kilometres long but will be an important indication of the power balance between the general classification teams, where valuable seconds can be gained or lost.

The peloton already sees the first summit finish in stage three in Arinsal/Andorra. This year’s route is full of hard mountain stages. Three days later on stage six, the general classification battle continues with another mountain top finish to Observatorio Astrofísico de Javalambre that shock things up back in 2019.

On stage seven, it is time again for the overall contenders to challenge each other with stage eight containing a very steep climb followed by a short descent to the finish line. The final climb Xorret de Cati has an average gradient of 12.4 percent over 3.4 kilometres, and with more than 3600 climbing metres, stage eight is predicted to do big damage in the general classification.

The second week begins with the sole individual time trial of La Vuelta on stage 10. A fairly flat course over 24.8 kilometres in Valladolid will suit the specialists in the discipline and will be an opportunity for time trial world champion Evenepoel to gain valuable time for the overall victory.

Stage 11 offers the first summit finish of week two to La Luguna Negra. However, the last climb does not look steep enough to make big differences among the general classification riders.

The queen stage of this year’s Vuelta takes place in the Pyrenees in France where the mythical climbs Col d’Aubisque, Col de Spandelles and Col du Tourmalet all feature on stage 13. The route is only 135.8 kilometres long but with 4282 metres of climbing.

There is more climbing on the menu the following day in stage 14 to Puerto de Belague. Week two concludes with a classic breakaway stage from Pamplona to Lekunberri.

Following the last rest day of the race, week three eases the riders back to action with a short stage of just 119.7 kilometres. A little kicker awaits in the final to Bejes forcing the favourites for the overall victory to be alert.

Stage 17 will showcase what is considered one of the hardest climbs in Europe - the Altu de l’Angliru. The stage finishes on top of the mountain where the final 6.3 kilometres have an average gradient of 14 percent. Huge time gains ware expected to be seen on the steep road in Asturias.

There will be no time to rest for the peloton on stage 18. 4624 metres of climbing might shake up the general classification again, ending in La Cruz de Linares. A sprint stage on stage 19 gives the general classification favourites a time to breathe.

During stage 20, the organisers have added ten categorised climbs in an attempt to animate aggressive racing in the mountains north of Madrid. A clever strategy by one of the strong general classification teams could create chaos in what will be the last opportunity to gain time for the overall win.

La Vuelta will conclude in the Spanish capital with a short sprint stage and celebrations of the 2023 Vuelta winner.

Day-by-day route of the 2023 Vuelta a España

• Saturday 26 August: Stage 1 - Barcelona - Barcelona (14.8km team time trial)
• Sunday 27 August: Stage 2 - Mataró - Barcelona (182km)
• Monday 28 August: Stage 3 - Súria - Arinsal, Andorra (158.5km)
• Tuesday 29 August: Stage 4 - Andorra la Vella, Andorra - Tarragona (185km)
• Wednesday 30 August: Stage 5 - Morella - Burriana (186.5km)
• Thursday 31 August: Stage 6 - La Vall d'Uixó - Pico del Buitre, Observatorio Astrofísico de Javalambre (183.5km)
• Friday 1 September: Stage 7 - Utiel - Oliva (201km)
• Saturday 2 September: Stage 8 - Dénia - Xorret de Catí, Costa Blanca Interior (165km)
• Sunday 3 September: Stage 9 - Cartagena - Collado de la Cruz de Caravaca (184.5km)
• Monday 4 September: Rest Day
• Tuesday 5 September: Stage 10 - Valladolid - Valladolid (25.8km individual time trial)
• Wednesday 6 September: Stage 11 - Lerma - La Laguna Negra, Vinuesa (163.5km)
• Thursday 7 September: Stage 12 - Ólvega - Zaragoza (151km)
• Friday 8 September: Stage 13 - Formigal, Huesca la Magia - Col du Tourmalet (135km)
• Saturday 9 September: Stage 14 - Sauveterre-de-Béarn - Larra-Belagua (156.5km)
• Sunday 10 September: Stage 15 - Pamplona - Lekunberri (158.5km)
• Monday 11 September: Rest Day
• Tuesday 12 September: Stage 16 - Liencres Playa - Bejes (120.5km)
• Wednesday 13 September: Stage 17 - Ribadesella/Ribeseya - Altu de L'Angliru (124.5km)
• Thursday 14 September: Stage 18 - Pola de Allande - La Cruz de Linares (179km)
• Friday 15 September: Stage 19 - La Bañeza - Íscar (177.5km)
• Saturday 16 September: Stage 20 - Manzanares El Real - Guadarrama (208km)
• Sunday 17 September: Stage 21- Hipódromo de la Zarzuela - Madrid, Paisaje de la Luz (101.5km)

How to watch the 2023 Vuelta a España

The Vuelta a España will be shown live around the world. Here is a list of the official broadcast partners across different territories.

Belgium: VRT

Denmark: TV2

Europe-wide: Eurosport

Netherlands: NOS

Norway: TV2 Norway

Spain: RTVE

United Kingdom: ITV

Brazil: ESPN

Canada: FloBikes

Colombia: Caracol

Latin America and the Caribbean: DirecTV

United States: NBC Sports

Asia-Pacific

Australia: SBS

China: Zhibo TV

Japan: J Sports

New Zealand: Sky Sport

South-East Asia: Eurosport

Middle East and Africa

Middle East and North Africa: BeIN Sports

Sub-Saharan Africa: Supersport

Related content

UCI Cycling World Championships 2023: Lotte Kopecky ends 50-year Belgian drought in women's elite road race - results

UCI Cycling World Championships 2023: Remco Evenepoel wins men's time trial world title in Paris 2024 Olympic Qualifier

UCI Cycling World Championships 2023: Mathieu van der Poel wins men's elite road race - results

You may like.

2023 Edition

• Sporting stakes
• Media Figures
• Future on a bike

Photos & Videos

Running from 17 August to 8 September 2024, La Vuelta 24 will be made up of 21 stages and will cover a total distance of 3265 kilometers.

• 1 flat stage
• 5 medium mountain stages
• 8 mountain stages
• 2 individual time-trial stages
• 5 hilly stages (2 with high-altitude finales)
• 2 rest days

Get exclusive information about La Vuelta

Accreditations

Privacy statement & cookie policy, your gdpr rights.

• Tour de France
• Giro d'Italia

La Vuelta ciclista a España

• World Championships
• Amstel Gold Race
• Milano-Sanremo
• Tirreno-Adriatico
• Liège-Bastogne-Liège
• Il Lombardia
• La Flèche Wallonne
• Paris - Nice
• Paris-Roubaix
• Volta Ciclista a Catalunya
• Critérium du Dauphiné
• Tour des Flandres
• Gent-Wevelgem in Flanders Fields
• Clásica Ciclista San Sebastián
• INEOS Grenadiers
• Groupama - FDJ
• EF Education-EasyPost
• Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team
• BORA - hansgrohe
• Bahrain - Victorious
• Astana Qazaqstan Team
• Intermarché - Wanty
• Lidl - Trek
• Movistar Team
• Soudal - Quick Step
• Team dsm-firmenich PostNL
• Team Jayco AlUla
• Team Visma | Lease a Bike
• UAE Team Emirates
• Arkéa - B&B Hotels
• Alpecin-Deceuninck
• Grand tours
• Countdown to 3 billion pageviews
• Favorite500
• Profile Score
• Stage 21 Results
• Top competitors
• Startlist quality
• All stage profiles
• Hardest stages
• Winners and leaders
• Prizemoney ranking
• Fastest stages
• Statistics - Statistics
• Startlist - Startlist
• More - More
• Teams - Teams
• Nations - Nations
• Route - Route
• Results - Results
•   »  

Leaders in subclassifications

• Most constant rider
• Smallest sum of results
• Most bonifications
• Hottest stages
• Leader jerseys
• Best worse result
• Combative riders
• Fastest first and last hour
• Average speed per stage
• Timegap chart
• GC without TTs
• GC Without 1 stage
• GC without time bonusses
• Most GC time changes
• Points GC breakdown
• Least predictable

Grand Tours

• Vuelta a España

Major Tours

• Volta a Catalunya
• Tour de Romandie
• Tour de Suisse
• Itzulia Basque Country
• Milano-SanRemo
• Ronde van Vlaanderen

Championships

• European championships

Top classics

• Omloop Het Nieuwsblad
• Strade Bianche
• Gent-Wevelgem
• Dwars door vlaanderen
• Eschborn-Frankfurt
• San Sebastian
• Bretagne Classic
• GP Montréal

Popular riders

• Tadej Pogačar
• Wout van Aert
• Remco Evenepoel
• Jonas Vingegaard
• Mathieu van der Poel
• Mads Pedersen
• Primoz Roglic
• Demi Vollering
• Lotte Kopecky
• Katarzyna Niewiadoma
• PCS ranking
• UCI World Ranking
• Points per age
• Latest injuries
• Youngest riders
• Grand tour statistics
• Monument classics
• Latest transfers
• Favorite 500
• Points scales
• Profile scores
• Reset password
• Cookie consent

About ProCyclingStats

• Cookie policy
• Contributions
• Pageload 0.0336s

• Skip to main content
• Keyboard shortcuts for audio player

U.S. cyclist Sepp Kuss has won Spain's La Vuelta. His biggest rivals? His team

Bill Chappell

Sepp Kuss, overall leader of La Vuelta cycling race in Spain, has found his most persistent challengers to be his own teammates. He's seen here after Friday's stage. Oscar Del Pozo/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

Sepp Kuss, overall leader of La Vuelta cycling race in Spain, has found his most persistent challengers to be his own teammates. He's seen here after Friday's stage.

American rider Sepp Kuss has won La Vuelta a España, one of cycling's crown jewels, turning the crowd favorite into a surprise champion.

"I think I'll just look back on this experience with a lot of fond memories," Kuss said in an interview after his victory. "It's still sinking in. I think that's gonna take quite some time."

But in a dramatic twist, the biggest threat to Kuss during the three-week race came from within his own team — including a much-criticized attack on Kuss' birthday that cut into his lead.

U.S. rider Sepp Kuss (center) celebrates with teammates winning while crossing the finish line of the 21st and last stage of the 2023 La Vuelta cycling tour of Spain, on Sunday. Oscar del Pozo/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

U.S. rider Sepp Kuss (center) celebrates with teammates winning while crossing the finish line of the 21st and last stage of the 2023 La Vuelta cycling tour of Spain, on Sunday.

The result was an international sports controversy with all the trimmings, one that gets to the heart of how elite road cycling defines itself in its most high-profile team events.

Here's a quick guide to what's been going on in Spain:

Kuss is on cycling's most dominant team

Kuss' teammates on the Jumbo-Visma squad included two of the top cyclists in recent memory: two-time Tour de France winner Jonas Vingegaard and three-time Vuelta champion Primož Roglič (who also won this year's Giro d'Italia).

Kuss, who is from Durango, Colo., faithfully served both Vingegaard and Roglič in key moments, pacing them on brutal climbs, shielding them from the wind and chasing down their rivals. By being a loyal domestique , or support rider, he repeatedly helped them climb to the top of the podium.

On Friday, the trio was ranked 1-2-3 in La Vuelta, nearly three minutes ahead of their closest rival. On its face, that's a bit boring. But in a fascinating twist, it's Kuss who had been wearing La Roja — the Spanish equivalent of the French yellow jersey — since becoming the race's leader on Sept. 2.

There's just one snag: Kuss was not the leader of Jumbo-Visma.

Sepp Kuss has gotten help from his accomplished teammates, including Danish rider Jonas Vingegaard (left). The two are seen here after stage 13 of the 2023 La Vuelta, the cycling grand tour race of Spain. Ander Gillenea/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

Sepp Kuss has gotten help from his accomplished teammates, including Danish rider Jonas Vingegaard (left). The two are seen here after stage 13 of the 2023 La Vuelta, the cycling grand tour race of Spain.

With the team in control in La Vuelta's final week, Jumbo-Visma had been under intense public scrutiny: Would the squad and its elite competitors allow Kuss to keep the famed red jersey all the way to Madrid?

On one side are those who say Kuss, a well-liked "super domestique" who has been integral to the world-beating successes of Team Jumbo-Visma, earned the right to vie for a Grand Tour victory of his own.

On the other side are those who say that the whole point of stage races such as La Vuelta and the Tour de France is to sort out the top cyclists, after thousands of miles and daunting climbs.

The birthday surprise, and an epic backlash

It was all smiles at the start of Wednesday's stage, when Kuss was presented with a cake and serenaded with "Cumpleaños Feliz" in honor of his 29th birthday. But by the end of the day, cycling fans were hotly accusing Kuss' teammates of betrayal.

❤️ Ha sufrido en el Angliru al ritmo de sus compañeros, pero logra salvar el liderato. ¡Disfruta del minuto de La Roja! ❤️ He suffered on the Angliru at the pace of his teammates, but managed to save the lead. Enjoy La Roja's minute! #LaVuelta23 @CarrefourES … pic.twitter.com/g38rZJJJoa — La Vuelta (@lavuelta) September 13, 2023

Roglič attacked late in the race, sprinting ahead of a handful of riders up the storied heights of the Alto de l'Angliru in the Asturias mountains, where the road soars up inclines of 20% in some spots. Only Vingegaard and Kuss were able to reunite with Roglič — and in a stunning moment, when Kuss faltered, his teammates simply dropped him, pedaling away into the mist.

The pair sliced 19 seconds off of Kuss' advantage, leaving Vingegaard just 8 seconds behind. They were also condemned for essentially attacking their teammate while he was wearing the race leader's jersey.

"It was a much nicer result than last time," Roglič said, referring to 2020, when he lost the red jersey on the Angliru. But as many fans quickly noted , that year's punishing stage was one in which Kuss stayed with his teammate and helped him limit the damage.

Danish rider Jonas Vingegaard wins the Tour de France for the 2nd straight year

Suspicions of an intra-team battle had risen one day earlier, when Vingegaard mounted an attack on the final climb that put him just 29 seconds behind Kuss and brought the Dane his second stage win.

"I don't know if I'll take the overall lead tomorrow," Vingegaard said at the time, reassuring no one.

When "tomorrow" came, there was Vingegaard, following Roglič's wheel to take more time out of Kuss. Compared to his actions, his comments afterward were hard to parse.

"To be honest, I actually hope that [Kuss] will keep the jersey," he said. "I would love to see Sepp winning this Vuelta a Espana." On Instagram and elsewhere, the Dane dedicated his win to an injured teammate. But cycling fans were incensed, criticizing Vingegaard and Roglič for dropping a teammate who was wearing the leader's jersey.

A public debate explodes

In a three-week stage race, it's not rare for a race leader to have an off day. But for many cycling fans, it was stunning to see Kuss' teammates abandon him, after the three had left all the other riders behind — both on the day's stage and in the overall standings.

Veteran cyclists also noted the rarity of the moment.

"There shouldn't be any gifts in a grand tour win," former Tour de France winner Geraint Thomas said . But he added that in his view, Kuss has proven he's good enough to earn the win in Spain.

"I feel for Kuss... he deserves a bit more respect." Geraint Thomas hopes Sepp Kuss can go all the way! 🏆 #LaVuelta23 pic.twitter.com/UmzxZhsbRu — Eurosport (@eurosport) September 14, 2023

"So yeah, I feel for Kuss. I feel like he deserves a bit more respect," veteran rider Geraint Thomas said. "Not necessarily from the riders, either. I think more from the team. I think the team should be stronger with that."

Thomas later added, "Obviously, I would love to see Sepp win. And I think most of the peloton would, as well."

The uproar quieted on Thursday, when Roglič and Vingegaard shepherded Kuss through one of the final stages standing between him and the title. They even led him out to the finish, letting Kuss sprint ahead to defuse any challenges.

Role reversal at Team Jumbo-Visma 🔁🔴 Primož Roglič and Jonas Vingegaard led out their teammate and loyal super-domestique Sepp Kuss on the final climb of Stage 18 at La Vuelta, protecting his lead on general classification 👏 📸 Cor Vos ________________ 🇪🇸 #LaVuelta23 pic.twitter.com/e7aRkHbsm1 — Velon CC (@VelonCC) September 14, 2023

"It's an honor to have two such champions working for you," Kuss said afterward , noting his teammates' recent wins. He also praised the local fans: "It's probably the best part of being a professional cyclist. You feel the passion and the emotion when people cheer you on from the sidelines. It touches me every time."

Kuss also said his team has a plan — and Vingegaard affirmed the aim to defend Kuss' lead.

"We are in an excellent position, but we are not there yet," he said. "Saturday's stage is treacherous. It's fantastic to be able to do something for Sepp in this way. I will always remember what he has done for me. So, I wanted to give something back. Hopefully, we can bring his red jersey to the finish line."

The crowds in Spain chant: "Kuss! Kuss!"

Sepp Kuss had already endeared himself to cycling fans for taking on the sport's most painful assignments without complaint, grinding his team's rivals down as he dragged his leaders up the sides of mountains and literally carried their water.

Increasingly, that affection has blossomed into full-bore love, as evidenced by the crowd of fans who cheerfully mobbed Kuss as he left — or attempted to leave — his hotel Friday morning.

🇪🇸 #LaVuelta23 Euh, @lavuelta .. your race leader is a bit later at today’s start. 😉 Muchas gracias, fans! ❤️🫶🏼 pic.twitter.com/JwQV0ylCEg — Team Visma | Lease a Bike (@vismaleaseabike) September 15, 2023

For signs of what makes this American so appealing, watch his actions. Here's Kuss answering reporters' questions in Spanish; there's Kuss jumping out of the front seat of a team car, offering it to Roglič (who declined). Here's Kuss apologizing for sprinting for third place, saying he needed the bonus seconds to retain La Roja.

And there's Kuss chugging champagne , or admitting this week that he was surprised to learn he was still leading the race — and with a smile on his face, refusing to attack his teammates.

His humility and modesty, paired with his obvious talents, have made him an eminently likable American in Europe — so much so that Europeans turned on their own this week, to cheer for the "Durango Kid" to win it all.

Even before this week's high drama, fans of Kuss mounted a "GC Kuss" campaign, saying he should ride for "general classification," seeking the overall win in multistage races, rather than sacrificing himself for others. For one race, at least, that wish is being fulfilled.

NPR's Joe Hernandez contributed to this story.

How To Watch the Vuelta a España 2023

Fasten your bike helmet because the Vuelta a España races onto Peacock and CNBC this August and September.

Share | Dec 26, 2023

The Vuelta a España is a three-week road cycling race that’s part of the UCI World Tour. Marking the race’s 78th edition, the 2023 tour of Spain kicks off in Barcelona on Saturday, August 26.

Stateside cycling fans can stream every stage of La Vuelta on Peacock . But those who prefer traditional TV coverage can watch select simulcasts on CNBC.

Keep reading for a complete look at how to watch La Vuelta on TV and where the 21-day event will take cyclists and spectators.

Experience the thrills of La Vuelta

Enter your zip code below to score the best TV and internet providers for watching Spain’s premier cycling event.

• La Vuelta channels
• La Vuelta schedule
• Best ways to watch La Vuelta
• Watch La Vuelta for free

What channel is the Vuelta a España on?

Every stage of the Vuelta a España streams on Peacock . You can also watch Saturday and Sunday race coverage on CNBC, which includes the first and final stages.

Pro tip: Fans in Canada can stream La Vuelta 2023 from beginning to end on FloBikes .

2023 Vuelta a España schedule

The 2023 Vuelta a España commences with a team time trial in Barcelona on August 26. From there, the race goes through Spain’s flat, hilly, and mountainous terrain before ending on September 17 in Madrid. Two rest days occur along the way on September 4 and 11.

Data effective as of post date.

2023 La Vuelta Femenina schedule

The inaugural women’s edition of La Vuelta happened in early May 2023. Dutch cyclist Annemiek van Vleuten of Movistar Team won the race. As a result, she became the first person to win the unofficial women’s Grand Tour—consisting of La Vuelta Femenina, Tour de France Femmes, and Giro Donne.

Best TV plans for watching the Vuelta a España

Peacock is the best way to watch the Vuelta a España because it’s the only service in the U.S. to show every stage of the 2023 race. You’ll need a reliable internet connection and a compatible streaming device. But Peacock’s plans start at $5.99 a month, so you can sign up for Stage 1 and cancel shortly after Stage 21 to avoid a second payment.

Aside from La Vuelta, Peacock is also home to other cycling events throughout the year—including the Tour de France and the Summer Olympics . You’ll also get exclusive NFL, MLB, and Premier League content, should your love of sports extend beyond cycling.

Pro tip: You’ll need Max’s B/R Sports Add-On to round out your Grand Tour of Cycling coverage and stream the Giro d’Italia in May.

Which TV providers carry the Vuelta a España?

Most TV providers feature limited Vuelta a España coverage through CNBC. To ensure you have the right service, we illustrated which popular providers carry the business news channel in the table below.

Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.

Find TV and internet providers near you

Enter your zip code to see top-ranked providers available in your area.

How to watch the Vuelta a España for free

With La Vuelta primarily streaming on Peacock , there is no free way to watch every stage of the 2023 race. Peacock has no free trial, but you can catch CNBC’s limited coverage through other streaming trials.

Fubo and DIRECTV STREAM carry CNBC and offer free trials. While the trial periods won’t cover the entire 21-day race, you can sign up for one to catch the first two stages on CNBC and the other for the final two stages. It’s better than nothing.

How to watch the Vuelta a España FAQ

Where can i watch la vuelta in the u.s..

In the U.S., La Vuelta streams exclusively on Peacock . Additional coverage airs on CNBC and appears across other NBC Sports platforms like the NBC Sports app.

Will the Vuelta a España be on USA Network?

No, the Vuelta a España won’t air on USA Network in 2023. Peacock will stream the entire race, with select weekend coverage airing on CNBC.

Is La Vuelta on GCN?

No, La Vuelta doesn’t stream on GCN+ in the U.S. While the cycling-centric service carries the race in other territories, NBC Sports has exclusive U.S. broadcasting rights to La Vuelta through 2030.

Methodology

Our sports experts compiled the men’s and women’s schedules for this year’s Vuelta a España. Using that information, we researched and tested the best ways to watch both races on TV. We determined our viewing recommendations based on race coverage, pricing, and ease of use.

Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our methods.

Related articles

• How To Watch the Tour de France
• Peacock Review
• What Channel Is NBC On?
• Best Streaming Services for Sports

Don't miss an update

Stay updated on the latest products and services anytime anywhere.

By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy & Terms and Conditions .

Want more cycling coverage?

Enter your zip code below to see your area’s top TV providers.

Enter your zip code

Vuelta 2023 Route stage 8: Dénia - Xorret de Catí

Dénia is situated on the Costa Blanca, just north of cycling hotbed Calpe. While Calpe is famous for being the destination of choice for many pro-cycling teams preparing for the season, Dénia and La Vuelta is a less obvious combination. The last time that the Spanish Grand Tour visited the Valencian beach town was in 1990. The race went to Murcia and Silvio Martinello sprinted to triumph.

Fast finishers leaving Dénia will cherish no such hope this time. The route goes to the Xorret de Catí in the Sierra del Maigmó. The finale looks set to detonate the fireworks. Starting with 1 kilometre at 8.5% the road ramps up to accumulate into a 3.9 kilometres climb with an average gradient of 11.4%. Close to the top it levels out a little, although still going up at insane numbers. The steepest stretch ramps up to 22%.

After the top the route continues with a 2 kilometres descent before going uphill again after the flamme rouge.

The run-up to the Xorret de Catí is not for the faint of heart either. The first 20 kilometres of the stage are flat and then it goes up and down, up and down, up and down, ad infinitum. Four classified climbs and a series of non-KOM slopes set the tone before the Xorret de Catí shows its teeth. The classified climb go by the names of Alto de Vall d’Ebo, Puerto de Tollos, Puerto de Benifallim, Puerto de Carrasqueta, and they throw in, respectively, 7.9 kilometres at 5.7%, 4.2 kilometres at 5.6%, 9.5 kilometres at 4.9%, and 10.9 kilometres at 4.6%.

La Vuelta last visited the Xorret de Catí in 2017. Julian Alaphilippe won from the breakaway after dropping Rafal Majka and Jan Polanc in the last kilometre. The Frenchman thus succeeded David Moncoutie (2010), Gustavo César (2009), Eladio Jiménez (2000,2004) and José María Jiménez (1998) as a Vuelta stage winner on Xorret de Catí.

The first three riders on the line gain time bonuses of 10, 6 and 4 seconds, while the intermediate sprint – atop the Puerto de Carrasqueta – comes with 6, 4 and 2 seconds.

Ride the route yourself? Download GPX 8th stage 2023 Vuelta .

Another interesting read: results 8th stage 2023 Vuelta.

Vuelta a España 2023 stage 8: routes, profiles, more

Click on the images to zoom

Site search

• Secret Base
• DraftKings Sportsbook
• DraftKings Daily Fantasy Sports
• DraftKings Network
• Fantasy Football
• Arizona Cardinals
• Atlanta Falcons
• Baltimore Ravens
• Buffalo Bills
• Carolina Panthers
• Chicago Bears
• Cincinnati Bengals
• Cleveland Browns
• Dallas Cowboys
• Denver Broncos
• Detroit Lions
• Green Bay Packers
• Houston Texans
• Indianapolis Colts
• Jacksonville Jaguars
• Kansas City Chiefs
• Las Vegas Raiders
• Los Angeles Rams
• Miami Dolphins
• Minnesota Vikings
• New England Patriots
• New Orleans Saints
• New York Giants
• New York Jets
• Philadelphia Eagles
• Pittsburgh Steelers
• Los Angeles Chargers
• San Francisco 49ers
• Seattle Seahawks
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• Tennessee Titans
• Washington Commanders
• Atlanta Hawks
• Boston Celtics
• Brooklyn Nets
• Cleveland Cavaliers
• Dallas Mavericks
• Detroit Pistons
• Golden State Warriors
• Houston Rockets
• Los Angeles Lakers
• Milwaukee Bucks
• Minnesota Timberwolves
• New York Knicks
• Philadelphia 76ers
• Phoenix Suns
• Portland Trail Blazers
• San Antonio Spurs
• Sonics Rising
• Toronto Raptors
• Washington Wizards
• G-League and International
• Bracketology
• Women’s CBB
• Cinderella Stories
• View team list
• Swish Appeal
• Los Angeles Sparks
• Minnesota Lynx
• New York Liberty
• Washington Mystics
• Arizona Diamondbacks
• Atlanta Braves
• Baltimore Orioles
• Boston Red Sox
• Chicago Cubs
• Chicago White Sox
• Cincinnati Reds
• Cleveland Guardians
• Colorado Rockies
• Detroit Tigers
• Houston Astros
• Kansas City Royals
• Los Angeles Angels
• Los Angeles Dodgers
• Miami Marlins
• Milwaukee Brewers
• Minnesota Twins
• New York Mets
• New York Yankees
• Oakland Athletics
• Philadelphia Phillies
• Pittsburgh Pirates
• San Diego Padres
• San Francisco Giants
• Seattle Mariners
• St. Louis Cardinals
• Tampa Bay Rays
• Texas Rangers
• Toronto Blue Jays
• Washington Nationals
• MLB Trade Rumors
• Sabermetrics
• English Premier League
• Aston Villa
• Manchester City
• Tottenham Hotspur
• Leicester City
• Southampton
• Manchester United
• Leeds United
• German Bundesliga
• Bayern Munich
• Italian Serie A
• Inter Milan
• Spanish La Liga
• Atletico Madrid
• Real Madrid
• Women’s Soccer
• Mexican Soccer
• U.S. Soccer
• Fantasy Soccer
• MMA Fighting
• MMA Fighters
• MMA Fight Schedule

Filed under:

• Olympic Cycling

Sepp Kuss to win Tour of Spain, become next American cyling star

The U.S. has its unlikely next cycling superstar

Share this story

• Share this on Facebook
• Share this on Twitter
• Share this on Reddit
• Share All sharing options

Share All sharing options for: Sepp Kuss to win Tour of Spain, become next American cyling star

When he crossed the finish line in Guadarrama at the end of Stage 20 of the 2023 Vuelta a España, Sepp Kuss was flanked by two men he usually is working for. On the one side, two-time Tour de France champion Jonas Vingegaard; on other, Primož Roglič, himself a three-time winner of the Vuelta.

The red race leader’s jersey belonged to neither of the two cycling superstars. It rested on Kuss’ shoulders, and will remain there throughout the race.

The 21st and final stage of the Vuelta, after all, will be little more than a procession — a celebration to cap off one of the most unlikely pro cycling stories in recent memory. Kuss, after all, had shown he had the quality to compete for a Grand Tour, one of the three biggest bike races in the world.

Incredible scenes as Sepp Kuss secures #LaVuelta23 victory surrounded by teammates and family! pic.twitter.com/uTQUCyZWpP — NBC Sports Cycling (@NBCSCycling) September 16, 2023

In fact, he raced all three of them this season. He helped Roglič win the Giro d’Italia in May, and Vingegaard the Tour de France two months later. With their Jumbo-Visma team taking both to Spain for the third and final Grand Tour of the year, the expectation was that it would be more of the same for Kuss: he would help them earn the win, just like he has throughout his career.

Despite being one of the best mountain climbers in the peloton, the 29-year-old has been a so-called domestique for much of his pro career. His job was to support the leaders, oftentimes being the one to set up the final attack.

He did it at the Giro and the Tour, and he was supposed to do it at the Vuelta as well. Then, everything changed.

The sixth stage of the race to Observatorio Astrofísico de Javalambre saw Kuss join a breakaway and suddenly gain more than two on the pre-race favorites and quote-on-quote serious general classification riders. The fact that he was allowed to go on the attack in the first place was a reflection of his status as a perceived non-threat to other riders and teams.

However, Kuss quickly proved that he had what it took to not just earn the red jersey — something he did on Stage 8 — but also keep it the rest of the way. Not only did he pass the high mountain tests without showing many weaknesses, he also rode the time trial of his life on Stage 10 in Valladolid.

Kuss lost 1:29 and no more than 1:13 on the top GC riders; he lost less than that on both Roglič (0:53) and Vingegaard (0:11).

This, in turn, meant that his team faced a problem of first-world proportions: throw the support behind nominal co-leaders Roglič and Vingegaard, or behind one of the most underrated riders in the sport? Publicly, the team and its top riders voiced support for the latter option but cracks in the plan started to show on Stage 17 to the mythical mountaintop finish at the Altu de L’Angliru.

Kuss entered the day 29 seconds ahead of second-placed Vingegaard and 1:33 ahead of Roglič in the third spot. Clearly the strongest team in the race, Jumbo-Visma was content to keep its riders 1-2-3 but there appeared to be no agreement who would end up where after Roglič upped the pace and eventually left everyone but Vingegaard behind — including Kuss, whose lead became smaller with every pedal stroke.

Roglič ended up winning ahead of Vingegaard, with the latter possibly on his way to pushing Kuss from the top spot. However, that did not happen: receiving some unexpected help from Bahrain-Victorious rider Mikel Landa, the Durango, CO native survived with only eight seconds to spare on Vingegaard.

The following stage, there was no drama. Vingegaard rode tempo for Kuss on the final climb in a show of support for the new leader.

Saturday’s stage was more of the same. As a result, Kuss is now on the verge of writing American cycling history: he will become just the fourth U.S. rider to win a Grand Tour, following the tracks of Greg Lemond, Andrew Hampsten, and Chris Horner.

Horner won the Vuelta exactly 10 years ago, in 2013. Now, it is Kuss’ turn to take the famous red jersey across the pond.

More From SBNation.com

• Michael Jordan made me go to the wrong college
• A look inside Japan’s obsession with bizarre mascots
• That’s Weird: Hey uh it kinda seems like this Olympic swimmer got poisoned by her rivals
• The best way to watch Marvel movies is in chronological order
• 17776: What football will look like in the future
• 20020: An American football story

Loading comments...

Sign up for the newsletter sign up for the sb nation daily roundup newsletter, thanks for signing up.

Check your inbox for a welcome email.

Oops. Something went wrong. Please enter a valid email and try again.

Who's racing where - Tadej Pogacar and Demi Vollering headline Amstel Gold Race

Brabantse Pijl brings one-day action before Ardennes Classics, while stage races Tour of Sicily and Redlands Bicycle Classic and BWR California fill week

Giro di Sicilia

Redlands bicycle classic.

As the cobbled Classics draw to a close from last week’s Paris-Roubaix, the Ardennes Classics take centre stage on the weekend for a Dutch doubleheader with Amstel Gold Race and Amstel Gold Race Ladies . 

Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) is back in action after passing on the final Monument of the season last Sunday. He won’t see Paris-Roubaix winner Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) or 2021 Amstel Gold winner Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) in the Netherlands but will see defending champion Michal Kwiatkowski (Ineos Grenadiers).

The Women’s WorldTour clash on Sunday is 28km longer than last year, now 156km so serves up a leg-shattering endurance test. Defending champion Marta Cavalli (FDJ-SUEZ) held off Demi Vollering (Team SD Worx) last year but will a dominant SD Worx return to the top step this time? Recently-crowned Paris-Roubaix winner Alison Jackson will be in the spotlight with EF Education-TIBCO-SVB.

Mid-week exploits across the many climbs in the Flemish region of Belgium take place at Brabantse Pijl and Brabantse Pijl Women on Wednesday. Both 1.Pro-level races culminate once again on the climb of the S-bend in Overijse, the men riding 205km and four finish circuits. The women face 24 hills for the 141.2km contest, with three closing circuits.

Ronde de Mouscron delivered a flat 1.1 Belgian race for the women on Monday, while the men had rolling terrain in north-west France for Paris-Camembert on Tuesday.  Wedged between the one-day contests of Brabantse Pijl and Amstel Gold Race, men’s top sprinters such as Mark Cavendish (Astana Qazaqstan) and Elia Viviani (Team Italy) will compete across four days at Tour of Sicily from April 11-14.

Road racing amps up across the United States with the Redlands Bicycle Classic stage race, April 12-16, while the off-road scene heads to San Marcos for Belgian Waffle Ride California on Sunday, April 16, the second stop on the BWR mixed-surface North American series.

Weekend wrap

Before jumping straight in, here's a round-up of the weekend's biggest results.

Get The Leadout Newsletter

The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!

The cobbled Classics hit a crescendo for the final Monument of the season at Paris-Roubaix last weekend. Both the Paris-Roubaix Femmes avec Zwift, the lead-off on Saturday, and Paris-Roubaix on Sunday did not disappoint with thrills and spills across the brutal cobbles of northern France.

The women’s race saw the early breakaway stay away and ride together into the Roubaix velodrome for a sprint finish. Alison Jackson (EF Education-TIBCO-SVB) prevailed from the group of seven and became the first-ever Canadian rider to win the race. Katisa Ragusa (Liv Racing-Teqfind) and Marthe Truyen (Fenix-Deceuninck) rounded out the podium, while Team SD Worx’s Lotte Kopecky led a group of favourites, including Lucinda Brand (Trek-Segafredo) and Marianne Vos (Jumbo-Visma) to the finish 12 seconds behind.

In the men's race, a third time was the charm for Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck), who rode solo for the final 15km to win the quickest-ever edition of the Hell of the North. While rival Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) began attacking 103km from the finish and with another severe acceleration over the five-star sector of Carrefour de l’Arbre, which only Van der Poel could match, it looked like it would be a head-to-head battle. Then the Belgian flatted and was left to chase , finishing just behind Van der Poel’s teammate Jasper Philipsen for the final podium spot, 46 seconds off the winning time.

One-day racing in the mid-week spotlight took place at Scheldeprijs for men and women. Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) cemented his status as a top sprinter for the men while Lorena Wiebes (SD Worx) continued her stellar sprinting with a third one-day victory on the year.

Meanwhile, in northern Spain, Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) reeled off three consecutive stage wins over the second half of Itzulia Basque Country and secured the GC title at the six-day stage race. Mikel Landa (Bahrain Victorious) was the closest to the Dane at 1:12 back for second overall.

In the four-day Pays de la Loire Tour in France, Alexander Kamp (Tudor Pro Cycling) overtook Bryan Coquard (Cofidis) on the final day to secure the overall crown.

The criterium season began in the US on Saturday at the Miami Beach Invitational, the first of four National Cycling League races that combine for a $1 million prize purse in the NCL Cup. With points accumulated by co-ed teams in criteriums for women and men, the Denver Disruptors dominated both races for the opening win and early NCL Cup lead with 138 total points. The Miami Nights were second with 93 points and Goldman Sachs EFTs (women)-Texas Roadhouse Cycling (men) combo finished third with 32 points.

When: Tuesday, April 11 to Friday, April 14

Where: Sicily

Length: 718km

The Giro di Sicilia returns for its fifth edition, covering 718 kilometres over the four days of racing across the island. Defending champion Damiano Caruso leads Bahrain Victorious for a repeat victory. Elia Viviani is a long way from his home in northern Italy but will be a contender for Team Italy. 

UAE Team Emirates brings Rafal Majka with support from George Benett and Diego Ulissi, while Astana Qazaqstan has sprinter Mark Cavendish alongside GC hopeful Alexey Lutsenko. Louis Meintjes (Intermarché-Circus-Wanty) returns to move from his third overall last year and will be a climber to watch on the final day with Mount Etna on the menu. 

De Brabantse Pijl men

When: Wednesday, April 12

Where: Belgium

Length: 205km

Back in a typical calendar slot after Paris-Roubaix and leading to Amstel Gold Race, De Brabantse Pijl returns for a 205km endless day of climbing in Belgium from Ladeuzeplein in Leuven to the signature S-Bocht in Overijse. There are 25 punchy climbs in total, the bulk coming across the Hagaard, Hertstraat, Moskesstraat, and Holstheide on the final 88km of four finishing circuits.

Leading the charge are 12 WorldTour teams, Jumbo-Visma one of the teams skipping the mid-week race. Ineos Grenadiers’ Michal Kwiatkowski will get support from young Britons Ethan Hayter and Josh Tarling, while Soudal-QuickStep bring Rémi Cavagna, who has two wins from Settimana Internazionale, and looks for only its third 1.Pro victory of the season.

De Brabantse Pijl women

Length: 142.2km

Demi Vollering returns for Team SD Worx in defence of her 2022 De Brabantse Pijl Dames victory, a dominant solo victory in the rain when she attacked with Pauliena Rooijakkers (Canyon-SRAM) at 30km to go, then on the hilly final circuit distanced her companion. 

Riding with Vollering will be three-time Hungarian road champion Blanka Vas, who has won a string of five cyclocross national titles. Other U23 cyclocross stars competing on the road are Trofeo Alfredo Binda winner Shirin van Anrooij (Trek-Segafredo) and Fem van Empel (Jumbo-Visma), who was eighth in her only road start at Volta Limburg Classic.

There are 24 total hills for the women this year across 141.2km. After a series of ascents across Hertstraat, Moskesstraat, Holstheide and S-bocht, the peloton will begin the three laps of the finishing circuit with those same hills, plus the Hagaard.

When: Wednesday, April 12 - Sunday, April 16

Where: California

Length: various

A staple on the stage racing scene for pros and amateurs in North America since 1985, the 37th edition of Redlands Bicycle Classic continues as the longest, continuously running US invitational stage race, taking place April 12-16 in southern California. 

The elite women will kick off the five days of racing on Wednesday in the City of Highland Circuit Race with 14 laps for 41.3 miles, while the men complete 20 laps for 58.1 miles. Stage 2 is the City of Yucaipa Road Race, the men riding 90 miles and the women 61.8 miles. Friday both the men and women will compete in the Route 66 Time Trial, both divisions covering the same 9.1 miles. 

Downtown Redlands hosts the final two stages, the Criterium events on Saturday afternoon (75 minutes for the women and 90 minutes for the men), and the concluding multi-lap Sunset Road Race stages on Sunday (68.1 miles for women and 91.1 miles for men).

Last year Heidi Franz won the women’s overall title riding for Instafund La Prima, while Tyler Stites won the men’s GC riding for Project Echelon Racing.

Amstel Gold Race Ladies Edition

When: Sunday, April 16

Where: Netherlands

Length: 156km

Amstel Gold Race Ladies Edition serves up a more menacing route of 156km through the hills of Limberg this year, 28km longer than last year. Again the Cauberg serves as a decisive climb for the finish at Valkenburg. 

Marta Cavalli (FDJ-SUEZ) comes into the opening race of the Ardennes Classics as the defending champion and one of the favourites after winning both the Amstel Gold Race and Flèche Wallonne last season. She will be supported by Grace Brown and Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig. However, two-time Amstel Gold Race runner-up Demi Vollering leads the aggressive SD Worx team, which also brings Tour of Flanders winner Lotte Kopecky. 

Amstel Gold Race men

Length: 253km

Amstel Gold Race returns for a 57th edition for the men, with a 253km route covering 33 climbs. The peloton will cross the finish line twice, once at 79km to go, and the penultimate time at 16km to go. 

The 800-metre climb of the Cauberg at 6.5% average gradient and a max 12.8%, will be faced twice, at 81km to go and 18km to go. The final finish loop will include the Geulhemmerberg (14km out) and the Bemelerberg (7km out) climbs. 

Two-time Amstel Gold Race winner Michał Kwiatkowski (Ineos Grenadiers) returns to defend last year’s victory, a photo-finish where he edged Benoit Cosnefroy (AG2R Citroën) at the line. Julian Alaphilippe is out for Soudal-QuickStep, so the team will look for its first WorldTour one-day victory from Andrea Bagioli or Mauro Schmid, and possibly bring in Remco Evenepoel.

The week at a glance

Thank you for reading 5 articles in the past 30 days*

Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read any 5 articles for free in each 30-day period, this automatically resets

After your trial you will be billed £4.99 $7.99 €5.99 per month, cancel anytime. Or sign up for one year for just £49 $79 €59

Try your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Jackie has been involved in professional sports for more than 30 years in news reporting, sports marketing and public relations. She founded Peloton Sports in 1998, a sports marketing and public relations agency, which managed projects for Tour de Georgia, Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah and USA Cycling. She also founded Bike Alpharetta Inc, a Georgia non-profit to promote safe cycling. She is proud to have worked in professional baseball for six years - from selling advertising to pulling the tarp for several minor league teams. She has climbed l'Alpe d'Huez three times (not fast). Her favorite road and gravel rides are around horse farms in north Georgia (USA) and around lavender fields in Provence (France), and some mtb rides in Park City, Utah (USA).

'Even winning is possible' - Puck Pieterse dreams big ahead of Tour of Flanders debut

Cape Epic 2024: Beers and Grotts, Terpstra and Koller claim overall titles

Marlen Reusser disqualified from Gent-Wevelgem for riding on bike path

Most Popular

By Barry Ryan March 24, 2024

By Lukas Knöfler March 24, 2024

By James Moultrie March 24, 2024

By Alasdair Fotheringham March 24, 2024

By Alasdair Fotheringham March 23, 2024

By Dani Ostanek March 23, 2024