Vuelta a España has good news for Italy fan Pogacar with opening weekend

"At the foot of the mountains and with the Alps as a stunning backdrop, in a very special edition that celebrates the 90th anniversary of the race. The Italian region will host the first three stages in their entirety, starting on August 23, before the peloton returns to Spain."

The opening stage of La Vuelta 25 will depart from Torino - Reggia di Venaria and head to Novara on a 183-kilometer route featuring a climb over the Bienca-Tomalino Pass. The second stage will begin in Alba and, 157 kilometers later, finish in Limone Piemonte, marking the race's first summit finish. The third stage in Italian territory will cover 139 kilometers between San Maurizio Canavese and Ceres, including a climb over the Issiglio Pass.

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The fourth stage will start in Susa, Italy, and from there, we'll head to Spain, although the organization is not yet specifying how. The finish will have to be somewhere in France since the Spanish border is still a fair bit of cycling. Let's grab some croissants after a week of pizza and pasta. "The Piedmont region is rich in mountains, history, and natural beauty—adds to the list of international destinations visited by the Spanish Grand Tour a new country. It also strengthens the ties between Europe's leading cycling nations."

That said, it is only the sixth time the Vuelta a España has gone beyond its own borders. Lisbon (twice), Nîmes, and the Dutch cities of Assen and Utrecht previously had the honor. A seventh foreign start will be added in 2026, as Monaco has already been confirmed as the host. Normally, we see Tadej Pogacar at the start of the race in 2025, which is the only grand tour he has not yet won.