Preview Tour of Burgos 2024 | Arensman and Kuss put finishing touches on Vuelta preparation

The Vuelta a España is approaching! Just as the Critérium du Dauphiné and the Tour de Suisse reveal who will perform well in the Tour de France, the Tour of Burgos serves a similar purpose for the Vuelta a España. This preparatory race over steep hills in northern Spain features a strong field of participants, making it an exciting event. IDLProCycling.com previews the race for you!

Last year, Primoz Roglic claimed victory, overcoming Aleksandr Vlasov and Adam Yates. This year, due to a fractured vertebra, the Slovenian is absent. Although he hopes to start in the Vuelta a España, Burgos is too soon for him. Therefore, we can expect an open race with a new winner. Many contenders are eager to test their legs and showcase their skills with an eye on the Vuelta!

The Tour of Burgos is known for its rugged, typically Spanish hills. After two (relatively) flat stages, where a limited field of sprinters will likely decide the winner, the climbing begins in the third stage. On paper, the cols don't seem too tough: the final climb is eleven kilometers at 5.5 percent. However, appearances can be deceiving, as is often the case for the Spanish terrain. The last four kilometers average ten percent, with certain sections reaching fifteen percent. Delightful, indeed.

After this climbing trial, we'll get a time trial, a rare treat in the Tour of Burgos. 18.5 kilometers of pure flat terrain will be a challenge for the pure climbers. The race concludes with a hilly stage to Treviño, where sprinters with stamina will get another opportunity.

Practical information Tour of Burgos 2024

• August 5 - 9, 2024 
• Participants
• Classification: 2.Pro

In this article

• Most recent winners 
• Course, weather and times
• Favorites
• TV information

Most recent winners Tour of Burgos 

2023 Primoz Roglic
2022 Pavel Sivakov
2021 Mikel Landa
2020 Remco Evenepoel
2019 Iván Ramiro Sosa
2018 Iván Ramiro Sosa
2017 Mikel Landa
2016 Alberto Contador
2015 Rein Taaramaë
2014 Nairo Quintana

Tour of Burgos 2024 course

Stage 1, Monday, Aug. 5: Vilviestre del Pinar - Burgos (168 km)

The Tour of Burgos starts with a stage for the fast men, finishing in the city of Burgos. After 168 kilometers of racing, the sprinters will have their first chance in this five-day race.

Climbs
28.0 km: Alto de Arroyo (3.2 km at 5.3%)
45.0 km: Alto de Manquillo (5.0 km at 5.5%)
150.5 km: Alto del Aguilón (2.4 km at 4.3%)

Favorites
Caleb Ewan (Jayco AlUla)
Matevz Govekar (Bahrain-Victorious)
Pavel Bittner (Team dsm-firmenich PostNL)

Times
Start: 12:45 PM locally / 6:45 AM EST
Finish: 4:45 PM locally / 10:45 AM EST

Stage 2, Tuesday, Aug. 6: Villasana de Mena - Ojo Guareña (161 km)

The second stage is already more challenging, with multiple climbs throughout the day and a finish atop a hill of 1.2 kilometers at 5.8 percent. Ideal for the punchers!

Climbs
12.0 km: Alto del Carel (2.5 km at 5.1%)
31.0 km: Alto de Ro (5.2 km at 4.0%)
50.0 km: Alto de Peña Angulo (12.1 km at 4.1%)
111.0 km: Alto de Bocos (2.8 km at 6.4%)
137.0 km: Ojo Guareña (1.2 km at 5.8%)
161.0 km: Ojo Guareña (1.2 km at 5.8%)

Favorites
Marius Mayrhofer (Tudor Pro Cycling)
Felix Engelhardt (Jayco AlUla)
Roger Adria (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe)

Times
Start: 12:55 PM locally / 6:55 AM EST
Finish: 4:45 PM locally / 10:45 AM EST

Stage 3, Wednesday, Aug. 7: Bodegas Nabal Gumiel De izán - Lagunas De Neila (138 km)

On day three, the peloton faces the first and only true summit finish of this race, at Lagunas de Neila. This climb is eleven kilometers at 5.5 percent, but the last three kilometers rise at more than ten percent. Perfect for the mountain goats.

Climbs
45 km: Alto del Cerro (5 km at 4.4%)
95 km: Alto del Collado de Vilviestre (3.2 km at 4.6%)
118 km: Alto de Rozavientos (10 km at 4.7%)
138 km: Lagunas de Neila (11 km at 5.5%)

Favorites
Valentin Paret-Peintre (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team)
Antonio Tiberi (Bahrain-Victorious)
Sepp Kuss (Visma | Lease a Bike)

Times
Start: 1:12 PM locally / 7:12 AM EST
Finish: 4:45 PM locally / 10:45 AM EST

Stage 4, Thursday, Aug. 8: Santa María del Campo - Pampliega (18.5 km, time trial)

Time trialists will also get their chance to shine in this Tour of Burgos. An 18-kilometer flat time trial is on the menu for stage four.

Climbs
No.

Favorites
Thymen Arensman (INEOS Grenadiers)
Antonio Tiberi (Bahrain Victorious)
Edoardo Affini (Visma | Lease a Bike)

Times
Start first rider: 1:58 PM locally / 7:58 AM EST
Finish last rider: 4:50 PM locally / 10:50 AM EST

Stage 5, Friday, Aug. 9: Frías - Condado de Treviño (156 km)

On the final day, the sprinters get another chance in this Tour of Burgos. Over 156 kilometers, the race runs from Frias to Condado de Treviño.

Climbs
No.

Favorites
Caleb Ewan (Jayco AlUla)
Ivan Garcia Cortina (Movistar)
Michelle Gazzoli (Astana Qazaqstan team)

Times
Start: 12:51 PM locally / 6:51 AM EST
Finish: 4:45 PM locally / 10:45 AM EST

Favorites Tour of Burgos 2024

The Tour of Burgos is considered one of the key preparatory races for the Vuelta a España. It's no surprise that many top general classification riders will line up at the start. Take Thymen Arensman of INEOS Grenadiers. The Dutchman will be racing again after 71 days, with his last race being the Giro d'Italia. He will be supported by Brandon Rivera and Omar Fraile.

Visma | Lease a Bike is sending two powerhouses to Burgos. Both Sepp Kuss and Cian Uijtdebroeks aim for a top classification, with young riders Ben Tulett and Johannes Staune-Mitter, along with Robert Gesink, providing support.

Another team with multiple leaders at the start is Bahrain-Victorious: Damiano Caruso and Antonio Tiberi will likely lead the team, but Torstein Træen, who won a stage in the Tour of Switzerland, is also a strong climber. Astana Qazaqstan Team will focus on climber Lorenzo Fortunato.

Read more below the photo.

Thymen Arensman

After the disappointment of the Tour de France, Tao Geoghegan Hart hopes to start in the Vuelta a España. As preparation, he leads Lidl-Trek in Burgos, joined by Pim Ronhaar, Bauke Mollema, Sam Oomen and Quinn Simmons.

Eddie Dunbar (Jayco AlUla) had to leave the race in stage three of the Giro d’Italia, where he finished eighth the previous year. The Vuelta offers a nice chance for redemption, and Burgos allows him to test his legs. UAE-Team Emirates sends Jay Vine and Finn Fisher-Black, who are well-suited for this race, along with youngster Igor Arrieta. Other outsiders include Simon Carr, Hugh Carthy (EF Education-EasyPost), Sergio Higuita (Red Bull-BORA hansgrohe), Valentin Paret-Peintre (Decathlon AG2R), Max Poole (dsm-firmenich PostNL), Paul Double (Polti-Kometa), Nairo Quintana (Movistar) and Michael Storer (Tudor Pro Cycling).

Who are the favorites for the 2024 Tour of Burgos, according to IDLProCycling.com?

Top favorites: Antonio Tiberi (Bahrain Victorious) and Thymen Arensman (INEOS Grenadiers)
Outsiders: Sepp Kuss (Visma | Lease a Bike), Tao Geoghegan Hart (Lidl-Trek), Eddie Dunbar (Jayco AlUla) and Finn Fisher-Black (UAE-Team Emirates)
Long shots: Cian Uijtdebroeks, Ben Tulett (Visma | Lease a Bike), Nairo Quintana (Movistar), Damiano Caruso (Bahrain Victorious), Valentin Paret-Peintre (Decathlon AG2R), Max Poole (dsm-firmenich PostNL), Lorenzo Fortunato (Astana Qazaqstan Team) and Simon Carr (EF Education-EasyPost)

TV Tour of Burgos 2024

Unfortunately for us, the Tour of Burgos will not be broadcast on the usual channels. However, IDLProCycling.com will be publishing updates. If a livestream becomes available, we will share that information!