This year's Vuelta a España will be shaped across Monaco, France and Andorra in the opening days and position the GC for the final two weeks of climbing and hot weather in southern Spain. There is instant intrigue for the first leader's red jersey, which will be decided in an individual time trial across 9.4km of twisting turns, tunnels and legendary landmarks in Monaco.
This is the first of two ITTs in the three-week race, the second a 32km test on stage 18. This opener is expected to take around 10 minutes to complete, filled with an abundance of corners, and most of the elevation gain of 83 metres coming in the second half.
Action starts on Saturday afternoon in front of the Monte Carlo Casino and culminates on Boulevard Albert 1er, and passes alongside Port Hercules and the Louis II Stadium to replicate much of the famous Formula 1 circuit held each year for the Monaco Grand Prix.
The opening 2km head for a loop to the north on a pair of out-and-back sections, The intermediate time check comes at kilometre 5.6 in front of the grandstands and large yachts in Port Hercules. Then the second half of the route heads south to pass through the Rocher-Antoinie tunnel, a loop of Chapiteau de l'Espace Fontevielle, a pass through the Rocher-Palais tunnel and then the finish line.
Absent will be 2025 overall champion Jonas Vingegaard, who is out from injury, so bib number one will be worn by the most recent Vuelta champion on the start line, PrimoĆŸ RogliÄ (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe). Last year the Vuelta a España had just one individual time trial, which was not until the third week, won by world champion Filippo Ganna, but the Italian is also absent from this year's Grand Tour.
The first rider of 184 will be Diego Uriarte (Kern Pharma), going down the start ramp at 19:20 local time. There is no adjustment for spacing between riders as all will take the course one-minute apart, concluding with RogliÄ, who takes off at 19:20.
The ITT runner-up to Ganna last year, Jay Vine (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) is back and will take the course in the top 45. Another 23 riders later, his teammate Joao Almeida begins his ride, one where he looks to improve from third place last year.
Among the favourites for the ITT this year are the three riders just ahead of RogliÄ, Wout van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike) starting at 19:17, Ivan Romeo (Movistar) starting at 19:18 and then Tadej PogaÄar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG).
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This is the first of two ITTs in the three-week race, the second a 32km test on stage 18. This opener is expected to take around 10 minutes to complete, filled with an abundance of corners, and most of the elevation gain of 83 metres coming in the second half.
Action starts on Saturday afternoon in front of the Monte Carlo Casino and culminates on Boulevard Albert 1er, and passes alongside Port Hercules and the Louis II Stadium to replicate much of the famous Formula 1 circuit held each year for the Monaco Grand Prix.
The opening 2km head for a loop to the north on a pair of out-and-back sections, The intermediate time check comes at kilometre 5.6 in front of the grandstands and large yachts in Port Hercules. Then the second half of the route heads south to pass through the Rocher-Antoinie tunnel, a loop of Chapiteau de l'Espace Fontevielle, a pass through the Rocher-Palais tunnel and then the finish line.
Absent will be 2025 overall champion Jonas Vingegaard, who is out from injury, so bib number one will be worn by the most recent Vuelta champion on the start line, PrimoĆŸ RogliÄ (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe). Last year the Vuelta a España had just one individual time trial, which was not until the third week, won by world champion Filippo Ganna, but the Italian is also absent from this year's Grand Tour.
The first rider of 184 will be Diego Uriarte (Kern Pharma), going down the start ramp at 19:20 local time. There is no adjustment for spacing between riders as all will take the course one-minute apart, concluding with RogliÄ, who takes off at 19:20.
The ITT runner-up to Ganna last year, Jay Vine (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) is back and will take the course in the top 45. Another 23 riders later, his teammate Joao Almeida begins his ride, one where he looks to improve from third place last year.
Among the favourites for the ITT this year are the three riders just ahead of RogliÄ, Wout van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike) starting at 19:17, Ivan Romeo (Movistar) starting at 19:18 and then Tadej PogaÄar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG).
For unbeatable coverage across road, gravel and tech, subscribe to Cyclingnews. You'll get comprehensive race coverage of La Vuelta a España, subscriber-exclusive analysis from our expert columnists, in-depth features and industry-leading tech insight. Plus, the Cyclingnews app lets you follow the action wherever you go!Join today.
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