What is the Vuelta a España?
The Vuelta a España is Spain's Grand Tour — three weeks from late August since 1935, the season's final major, its leader in the red jersey. Jonas Vingegaard is the holder after the 2025 edition, whose Madrid finale was curtailed amid street protests — a race remembered for sport and circumstance alike.[1] [2]
| Season | Pool / Format | Host cities |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Jonas Vingegaard (DEN) | Madrid finale curtailed by protests |
| 2024 | Primož Roglič (SLO) | Record-setting 4th Vuelta |
| 2023 | Sepp Kuss (USA) | First American Grand Tour win since 2013 |
| 2022 | Remco Evenepoel (BEL) | Belgium's first Grand Tour win since 1978 |
| 2021 | Primož Roglič (SLO) | Third straight |
| 2020 | Primož Roglič (SLO) | Oct–Nov race (COVID-19) |
| 2019 | Primož Roglič (SLO) | Slovenia's first Grand Tour winner |
| 2018 | Simon Yates (GBR) | |
| 2017 | Chris Froome (GBR) | Tour–Vuelta double |
| 2016 | Nairo Quintana (COL) |
Red-jersey winners of the last ten Vueltas.
How does it work?
The Grand Tour formula with Spain's signature: brutally steep summit finishes — the Angliru its most feared — late-season form battles, and a launching pad for the Worlds. Run by Unipublic under ASO, on the UCI WorldTour.[1] [3]
Why does it matter?
The third jewel of the Grand Tour set — where champions complete their collections (Vingegaard's 2025 red preceded his 2026 pink) and where the season's last three-week verdict is rendered.[1] [2]
References
- La Vuelta — official site. Accessed August 2026.
- ProCyclingStats — Vuelta a España results. Accessed August 2026.
- UCI — official site. Accessed August 2026.