Vuelta a España 2024 Preview | Brutal course awaits riders in Spain’s scorching heat!

Giro d'Italia, Tour de France, and now... The Vuelta a España. We are already on our third grand tour of the 2024 cycling year, heading into its final quarter. But first, we're spending 21 days touring through Portugal and Spain in the Vuelta. Let IDLProCycling.com tell you everything you need to know about one of the most exciting races in the world!

This year, the Vuelta starts in the Portuguese capital, Lisbon, and takes us across Portugal for the first few days. Another interesting aspect is the end of the race, which, for the first time in a long time, is shaped by a time trial. No sprint in Madrid on the final day, but rather a test for the powerhouse riders.

Apart from this, the Vuelta will again feature all the usual elements: lots of climbing, including steep and long ascents, and hidden challenges in every stage. In total, 3,265 kilometers must be covered before we know who will succeed Sepp Kuss and put this beauty of a race in their resume.

Vuelta a Espana 2024: Course, climbs, times and favorites

Stage 1, Saturday, Aug. 19: Lisbon - Oeiras (12.0 km, individual time trial)

The Vuelta a España 2024 kicks off in the Portuguese capital, Lisbon. Riders face a serious challenge right from the start with a twelve-kilometer time trial heading to the coastal town of Oeiras.

Climbs
No.

Favorites
Joshua Tarling (INEOS Grenadiers)
Wout van Aert (Visma | Lease a Bike)
Brandon McNulty (UAE-Team Emirates)

Times
Start: 4:23 PM locally / 10:23 AM EST (first rider)
Finish: 7:30 PM locally / 1:30 PM EST (last rider)

Stage 2, Sunday, Aug. 18: Cascais - Ourem (194.0 km)

On the second day, the peloton moves from Cascais to Ourem, leaving the coastal area for Portugal's interior. About twenty kilometers from the finish, the Alto da Batalha (7.1 km at 3.3%) awaits, but stronger sprinters should manage this climb.

Climbs
8.9 km: Alto de Lagoa Azul (5.7 km at 4.6%)
174.9 km: Alto da Batalha (7.1 km at 3.3%)

Favorites
Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek)
Wout van Aert (Visma | Lease a Bike)
Caleb Ewan (Jayco AlUla)

Times
Start: 11:50 AM locally / 5:50 AM EST
Finish: 4:19 PM locally / 10:19 AM EST

Stage 3, Monday, Aug. 19: Lousa - Castelo Branco (191.2 km)

The last day on Portuguese soil sees the riders traveling from Lousa to Castelo Branco. Again, there are significant elevation gains, but these should not pose insurmountable problems for the better sprinters.

Climbs
84.0 km: Alto de Teixeira (17.5 km at 3.2%)
148.6 km: Alto de Alpedrinha (6.4 km at 3.4%)

Favorites
Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek)
Wout van Aert (Visma | Lease a Bike)
Caleb Ewan (Jayco AlUla)

Times
Start: 11:50 AM locally / 5:50 AM EST
Finish: 4:18 PM locally / 10:18 AM EST

Stage 4, Tuesday, Aug. 20: Plasencia - Pico Villuercas (170.5 km)

The first serious test in this Vuelta a España will be the Pico Villuercas. After three previous climbs, the peloton finishes on this 14.6-kilometer hill, averaging 6.2% gradient. These percentages are misleading, as the last five to two kilometers rarely drop below 12%.

Climbs
23.9 km: Puerto de Cabezabellosa (9.2 km at 5.4%)
54.1 km: Alto de Piornal (13.9 km at 5.6%)
123.4 km: Puerto de Miravete (8 km at 4.5%)
170.4 km: Pico Villuercas (14.6 km at 6.2%)

Favorites
Adam Yates (UAE-Team Emirates)
Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost)
Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek)

Times
Start: 1:05 PM locally / 7:05 AM EST
Finish: 5:19 PM locally / 11:19 AM EST

Stage 5, Wednesday, Aug. 21: Fuente del Maestre - Seville (177.0 km)

According to the Vuelta organization, this is the only completely flat stage. This may be an exaggeration, but the fast men will surely mark this opportunity in Seville.

Climbs
No.

Favorites
Gerben Thijssen (Intermarché-Wanty)
Caleb Ewan (Jayco AlUla)
Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek)

Times
Start: 1:25 PM / 7:25 AM EST
Finish: 5:19 PM / 11:19 AM EST

Stage 6, Thursday, Aug. 22: Jerez de la Frontera - Yunquera (185.5 km)

A typical Vuelta stage: too tough for sprinters but too easy for pure climbers. Attackers will target this sixth stage with a finish on a slope in Yunquera (8.9 km at 3.9%), especially since the red leader's jersey often goes to a breakaway rider in such stages. Notably, this stage starts in a Carrefour supermarket.

Climbs
73.4 km: Puerto del Boyar (14.7 km at 5.5%)
130.3 km: Puerto del Viento (6.6 km at 4.3%)
160.0 km: Puerto Martinez (3.5 km at 6.3%)
185.5 km: Yunquera (8.9 km at 3.9%)

Favorites
Maxim Van Gils (Lotto-Dstny)
Pelayo Sanchez (Movistar)
Mathias Vacek (Lidl-Trek)

Times
Start: 12:40 PM locally / 6:40 AM EST
Finish: 5:17 PM locally / 11:17 AM EST

Stage 7, Friday, Aug. 23: Archidona - Cordoba (180.2 km)

After exactly one week of racing, the Vuelta peloton heads towards Cordoba, one of the hottest cities in Europe in mid-August. Central to this stage is the Alto del 14%, topping out 25 kilometers from the finish. This climb is 7.4 kilometers long at an average of 5.6%, crucial in any scenario – breakaway or sprint from a reduced peloton.

Climbs
154.7 km: Alto del 14% (7.4 km at 5.6%)

Favorites
Michal Kwiatkowski (INEOS Grenadiers)
Jesús Herrada (Cofidis)
Marc Soler (UAE-Team Emirates)

Times
Start: 1:10 PM locally / 7:10 AM EST
Finish: 5:20 PM locally / 11:20 AM EST

Stage 8, Saturday, Aug. 24: Ubeda - Cazorla (158.7 km)

On day eight, we get a familiar wall finish at Sierra de Cazorla. This climb is a third-category Spanish special, featuring multiple sections with double-digit gradients – up to 20%.

Climbs
105.1 km: Puerto Mirador les Palomas (7.3 km at 5.7%)
158.7 km: Sierra de Cazorla (4.8 km at 7.1%)

Favorites
Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek)
Dylan Teuns (Israel-Premier Tech)
Lennert Van Eetvelt (Lotto-Dstny)

Times
Start: 1:30 PM locally / 7:30 AM EST
Finish: 5:20 PM locally / 11:20 AM EST

Stage 9, Sunday, Aug. 25: Motril - Granada (178.2 km)

The day before the first rest day, the riders face a tough mountain stage. The first 100 kilometers are undulating, but then come three tough climbs: the Puerto de el Purche and the Alto de Hazallanas, to be climbed twice. The stage finishes in Granada after a 23-kilometer descent.

Climbs
96.9 km: Puerto de el Purche (8.9 km at 7.6%)
124.2 km: Alto de Hazallanas (7.1 km at 9.5%)
155.5 km: Alto de Hazallanas (7.1 km at 9.5%)

Favorites
Giulio Ciccone (Lidl-Trek)
Antonio Tiberi (Bahrain Victorious)
Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost)

Times
Start: 12:25 PM locally / 6:25 AM EST
Finish: 5:16 PM locally / 11:16 AM EST

Stage 10, Tuesday, Aug. 27: Ponteareas - Baiona (159.6 km)

After the first rest day, everyone should be sharp again. Stage ten, from Ponteareas to Baiona, features four climbs. Whether the GC contenders will create fireworks here remains to be seen.

Climbs
27.4 km: Alto de Fonfria (15.4 km at 4.2%)
104.6 km: Alto de Vilachan (6.3 km at 5.5%)
119.8 km: Alto de Mabia (6.0 km at 5.7%)
139.3 km: Alto de Mougas (9.9 km at 6.0%)

Favorites
Brandon McNulty (UAE-Team Emirates)
Victor Lafay (Decathlon AG2R)
Wilco Kelderman (Visma | Lease a Bike)

Times
Start: 1:30 PM locally / 7:30 AM EST
Finish: 5:19 PM locally / 11:19 AM EST

Stage 11, Wednesday, Aug. 28: Campus Technologico Cortizo Padron - Campus Technologico Cortizo Padron (166.4 km)

Another typical Vuelta stage with plenty of elevation gain. This stage's climbs are mainly spread over four ascents, with the last one just eight kilometers from the finish. The Puerto Cruxeiras (2.9 km at 8.9%) will likely be crucial.

Climbs
42.4 km: Puerto San Xusto (10.2 km at 4.2%)
81.2 km: Puerto Aguasantas (5.7 km at 6.1%)
117.9 km: Puerto Aguasantas (5.7 km at 6.1%)
158.5 km: Puerto Cruxeiras (2.9 km at 8.9%)

Favorites
Maxim Van Gils (Lotto-Dstny)
Dylan Teuns (Israel-Premier Tech)
Ben Tulett (Visma | Lease a Bike)

Times
Start: 1:30 PM locally / 7:30 AM EST
Finish: 5:21 PM locally / 11:30 AM EST

Stage 12, Thursday, Aug. 29: Ourense Termal - Estacion de Montana de Manzaneda (137.4 km)

Stage thirteen ends with an uphill finish. It's a relatively short stage of 137.4 kilometers, with the final climb to Montana de Manzaneda (15.4 km at 4.7%) unlikely to scare the top riders. Breakaway or general classification? We'll have to wait and see.

Climbs
137.4 km: Montana de Manzaneda (15.4 km at 4.7%)

Favorites
Giovanni Aleotti (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe)
Lorenzo Fortunato (Astana Qazaqstan Team)
Isaac del Toro (UAE-Team Emirates)

Times
Start: 2:10 PM locally / 8:10 AM EST
Finish: 5:22 PM locally / 11:22 AM EST

Stage 13, Friday, Aug. 30: Lugo - Puerto de Ancares (175.6 km)

This is a day many GC riders will have marked on their calendars. The stage finishes on the Puerto de Ancares, a climb that doesn't drop below a 10% gradient in the last five kilometers.

Climbs
33.9 km: Alto Campo del Arbre (5.0 km at 5.8%)
75.2 km: Alto o Portel (7.7 km at 5.4%)
155.6 km: Puerto de Lumeras (6.6 km at 6.0%)
175.6 km: Puerto de Ancares (7.5 km at 9.3%)

Favorites
Mikel Landa (Soudal Quick-Step)
Joao Almeida (UAE-Team Emirates)
Matthew Riccitello (Israel-Premier Tech)

Times
Start: 12:55 PM locally / 6:55 AM EST
Finish: 5:17 PM locally / 11:17 AM EST

Stage 14, Saturday, Aug. 31:a Villafranca del Bierzo - Villablino (200.4 km)

We don't see many stages covering over 200 kilometers in the Vuelta, but that is exactly what is on store for us on day fourteen. There’s plenty of climbing, though the gradients aren't too intimidating. Another chance for the attackers?

Climbs
102.5 km: Puerto de Cerredo (7.0 km at 4.6%)
183.9 km: Puerto de Leitariegos (22.8 km at 4.5%)

Favorites
Michal Kwiatkowski (INEOS Grenadiers)
Clement Berthet (Decathlon AG2R)
Pablo Castrillo (Equipo Kern Pharma)

Times
Start: 12:25 PM locally / 6:25 AM EST
Finish: 5:16 PM locally / 11:16 AM EST

Stage 15, Sunday, Sept. 1: Infiesto - Valgrande-Pajares Cuitu Negru (142.9 km)

This stage is nothing short of a monster. The finish is on the Ciutu Negru climb, 18.9 kilometers long at an average of 7.4%. The last three kilometers rise to the heavens at more than 18%, after a day already filled with elevation gain.

Climbs
37.6 km: Alto de la Colladiella (6.4 km at 8.2%)
64.9 km: Alto de Santo Emiliano (5.6 km at 4.9%)
87.6 km: Colladiella (6.4 km at 8.2%)
142.9 km: Ciutu Negru (18.9 km at 7.4%)

Favorites
Adam Yates (UAE-Team Emirates)
Mikel Landa (Soudal Quick-Step)
Sepp Kuss (Visma | Lease a Bike)

Times
Start: 1:51 PM locally / 7:51 AM EST
Finish: 5:20 PM locally / 11:20 AM EST

Stage 16, Tuesday, Sept. 3: Luanco - Lagos de Covadonga (181.3 km)

The day after Ciutu Negru, the Lagos de Covadonga awaits, a climb with a prestigious name. At 12.5 kilometers and 6.9%, it’s not as daunting as the previous day's climb, but fatigue will surely be a factor.

Climbs
77.1 km: Mirador del Fito (7.1 km at 7.9%)
125.0 km: Collada Llamena (7.6 km at 9.3%)
181.3 km: Lagos de Covadonga (12.5 km at 6.9%)

Favorites
Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek)
Daniel Felipe Martinez (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe)
Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost)

Times
Start: 12:50 PM locally / 6:50 AM EST
Finish: 5:18 PM locally / 11:18 AM EST

Stage 17, Wednesday, Sept. 4: Monumento Juan de Castillo Arnuero - Santander (141.5 km)

For the sprinters who have survived the past days, there's another possible opportunity in Santander on the last Wednesday. With a tough middle section, featuring second-category climbs Alto de la Estranguada and Alto del Caracol, the attackers will also be keen.

Climbs
54.8 km: Alto de la Estranguada (5.5 km at 8.7%)
70.4 km: Alto del Caracol (7.2 km at 6.2%)

Favorites
Wout van Aert (Visma | Lease a Bike)
Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek)
Vito Braet (Intermarché-Wanty)

Times
Start: 2:10 PM locally / 8:10 AM EST
Finish: 5:22 PM locally / 11:22 AM EST

Stage 18, Thursday, Sept. 5: Vitoria-Gasteiz - Maeztu (179.3 km)

The Basques in this Vuelta will give their all on one day in particular, and that’s this stage, to be raced entirely in the Basque Country. It’s never flat in the Basque Country, so the better climbing attackers will have their say here.

Climbs
81.5 km: Alto de Rivas del Tesero (11.1 km at 3.4%)
134.3 km: Puerto Herrera (5.6 km at 8.3%)

Favorites
Mikel Bizkarra (Euskaltel-Euskadi)
Pelayo Sanchez (Movistar)
Jesus Herrada (Cofidis)

Times
Start: 1:05 PM locally / 7:05 AM EST
Finish: 5:19 PM locally / 11:19 AM EST

Stage 19, Friday, Sept. 6: Logrono - Alto de Moncavillo (173.2 km)

The final weekend is in sight, and the zone of truth is approaching. On Friday, we reach the steep Alto de Monalvillo, where the climbers can once again revel.

Climbs
94.3 km: Puerto de Pradilla (5.2 km at 4.8%)
173.2 km: Alto de Moncalvillo (8.6 km at 8.9%)

Favorites
Adam Yates (UAE-Team Emirates)
Joao Almeida (UAE-Team Emirates)
Cian Uijtdebroeks (Visma | Lease a Bike)

Times
Start: 1:15 PM locally / 7:15 AM EST
Finish: 5:19 PM locally / 11:19 AM EST

Stage 20, Saturday, Sept. 7: Villarcayo - Picon Blanco (172.0 km)

As if we haven't already climbed enough in this Vuelta, the penultimate day features seven more climbs, finishing on the toughest of the day: the 7.9-kilometer Picon Blanco, averaging 9.1%.

Climbs
34.2 km: Estacas de Trueba (9.2 km at 3.1%)
49.2 km: Puerto de la Braguia (5.8 km at 5.9%)
74.0 km: Alto de Caracol (10.8 km at 5.4%)
93.0 km: Portillo de Lunada (14.0 km at 6.1%)
111.4 km: Portillo de la Sia (7.2 km at 6.1%)
146.4 km: Puerte de los Tornos (11.3 km at 6.0%)
172.0 km: Picon Blanco (7.9 km at 9.1%)

Favorites
Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost)
Enric Mas (Movistar)
Adam Yates (UAE-Team Emirates)

Times
Start: 1 PM locally / 7 AM EST
Finish: 5:17 PM locally / 11:17 AM EST

Stage 21, Sunday, Sept. 8: Madrid - Madrid (24.6 km, individual time trial)

No sprint finish in Madrid this time around, but rather an individual time trial of 24.6 kilometers for the powerhouses will bring us home in the Spanish capital. Completely flat, so it's all about pushing hard.

Climbs
No.

Favorites
Joshua Tarling (INEOS Grenadiers)
Wout van Aert (Visma | Lease a Bike)
Brandon McNulty (UAE-Team Emirates)

Times
Start: 4:20 PM locally / 10:20 AM EST
Finish: 7:30 PM locally / 1:30 AM EST