La Vuelta a España , or simply La Vuelta , is one of the three Grand Tours in professional road cycling, alongside the Tour de France and the Giro d'Italia . It has been held since 1935 and is considered one of the most prestigious stage races in the world.

Story

The first Vuelta a España took place in 1935, inspired by the Tour de France and the Giro d'Italia. After interruptions due to the Spanish Civil War and World War II, the race established itself as a fixture on the international cycling calendar in the 1950s. Since 1995, it has traditionally been held in late summer (August/September) – thus concluding the Grand Tours .

Route and characteristics

La Vuelta typically comprises 21 stages covering approximately 3,000 kilometers . Its characteristic features include:

• Mountain finishes : Especially in the Pyrenees, the Cantabrian Mountains, and the Sierra Nevada. The Vuelta is known for extremely steep climbs such as the Alto de l'Angliru or the Collado de la Gallina .

• Heat : Due to the race being held in late summer, high temperatures and dry weather characterize the event.

• Time trials : In addition to mountain and flat stages, individual and team time trials are part of the standard profile.

Importance in cycling

La Vuelta is considered a springboard for young talents and an opportunity for experienced riders to achieve further major success after the Tour de France or the Giro d'Italia. Many famous professionals such as Roberto Heras, Alberto Contador, Chris Froome, and Primož Roglič have won the Vuelta.

Jerseys

Similar to the Tour de France, different classification jerseys are awarded at the Vuelta:

• Red jersey – overall leader (formerly yellow and gold, red since 2010)

• Green Jersey – Points Ranking

• Polka dot jersey – Mountain classification

• White jersey – Best young rider

La Vuelta today

Today, La Vuelta is part of the UCI WorldTour and attracts the best teams and riders in the world every year. Its media reach is global, and the race is considered particularly tough due to its many steep climbs and demanding summer climate.