Ready to immerse yourself in Spanish cycling culture for this year’s Vuelta a España? Whether you watch every year or this is your first time, we’ve got you. Here’s a complete startup guide to this year’s edition of La Vuelta —how to watch, what to expect, stage start times, and more!
Photo by Matt Popovich (via Flickr)
The Vuelta a España: Spain’s Grand Tour
The Vuelta a España is one of the three most prestigious cycling races in the world, alongside the Tour de France and the Giro d’Italia. These “Grand Tours” are three week races that challenge the contenders more than any other events in the world of cycling.
While “La Vuelta” is primarily held in Spain, it occasionally ventures into neighboring countries. This year, the first three stages will be hosted in Portugal. This includes a time trial beginning in Lisbon and two hilly stages through the Portuguese Riviera region and central Portugal.
Embed from Getty ImagesWhat makes “La Vuelta” special?
Known for its challenging mountain stages, unpredictable weather, and passionate crowds, the Vuelta has gained a reputation for being a dramatic and exciting race. Get ready to enjoy the infamous rampas inhumanas — Spanish for “inhumane climbs” — and the chaos of the Spanish fans flocking to the roadside to cheer on their favorites.
With a distinct feel from the Tour de France with more of the same great racing action, newbie cycling fans will enjoy the uniqueness of this three week race through Spain!
Embed from Getty ImagesWhen does the Vuelta start?
The Vuelta begins on Saturday, August 17th and finishes on Sunday, September 8th. As in the Tour de France, there will be 21 stages, with two Monday rest days on August 26th and September 2nd.
Vuelta a España 2024 Stage Start Times
Note: all start times are given in Eastern Standard Time.
| Stage | Date | Start Time | Estimated Finish |
| 1 (ITT) | Saturday 8/17 | 9:23 | 12:30 |
| 2 | Sunday 8/18 | 4:50 | 9:19 |
| 3 | Monday 8/19 | 4:50 | 9:18 |
| 4 | Tuesday 8/20 | 6:05 | 10:19 |
| 5 | Wednesday 8/21 | 6:25 | 10:19 |
| 6 | Thursday 8/22 | 5:40 | 10:17 |
| 7 | Friday 8/23 | 6:10 | 10:20 |
| 8 | Saturday 8/24 | 6:30 | 10:20 |
| 9 | Sunday 8/25 | 5:35 | 10:16 |
| 10 | Tuesday 8/27 | 6:30 | 10:19 |
| 11 | Wednesday 8/28 | 6:30 | 10:21 |
| 12 | Thursday 8/29 | 7:10 | 10:22 |
| 13 | Friday 8/30 | 5:55 | 10:17 |
| 14 | Saturday 8/31 | 5:25 | 10:16 |
| 15 | Sunday 9/1 | 6:51 | 10:20 |
| 16 | Tuesday 9/3 | 5:50 | 10:18 |
| 17 | Wednesday 9/4 | 7:10 | 10:22 |
| 18 | Thursday 9/5 | 6:05 | 10:19 |
| 19 | Friday 9/6 | 6:15 | 10:19 |
| 20 | Saturday 9/7 | 6:00 | 10:17 |
| 21 (ITT) | Sunday 9/8 | 9:20 | 12:30 |
How can I watch the Vuelta on TV or streaming?
The availability of Vuelta broadcasts depends on your location. This is because the rights are owned by different broadcasters across different countries. Here’s a quick and simple breakdown of popular options:
United States: Peacock is the primary broadcaster for the Vuelta in the US. It offers live coverage, highlights, and replays.
United Kingdom: Eurosport Player and Discovery+ are your go-to platforms for comprehensive Vuelta coverage.
Australia: SBS On Demand provides free streaming of the race.
Other Countries: Check your local TV listings or explore online streaming services for options in your region.
U.S. Fans: La Vuelta on Peacock will be very similar to the Tour de France coverage.
If you watched the Tour de France on Peacock this year, you’re in luck. The Vuelta coverage will be very similar to the Tour’s broadcast on Peacock, with full stages and stage replays available. Former cyclists Bob Roll and Christian Vande Velde will provide commentary during all 21 stages.
To our knowledge, Phil Liggett will not be a part of the broadcast team for this Grand Tour. The “Voice of the Tour” is likely still enjoying his well-earned post-France vacation time and we look forward to hearing from him again next July! Paul Burmeister, Brent Bookwalter, and Tejay van Garderen are also unconfirmed for the race.
Read more: How to Watch the 2024 Tour de France in the United States
Embed from Getty ImagesMore about the Vuelta a España 2024
Want more details about the tour through Spain? Keep reading!
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Vuelta’s route this year features spectacular climbs and landscapes
La Vuelta is a climbing-heavy Grand Tour, and this year is no exception! There is only one true flat stage with a sprint finish in this edition. As mentioned above, the first stage will be a time trial. Hilly stages mark the first few stages in the remainder of the Portuguese depart.
From there, the route features numerous mountain stages, including several summit finishes. Notable climbs include the incredibly steep Cuitu Negru and the iconic Lagos de Covadonga. There are also back-to-back summit finishes towards the end of the race on the Alto de Moncalvillo and Picón Blanco.
Did you enjoy the time trial in the final stage of the Tour de France this year? Well, the Vuelta is doing a copycat! Unlike previous years, the race will conclude with an individual time trial instead of a processional stage into Madrid. This should make for an exciting final showdown between the GC contenders.
Embed from Getty ImagesStar riders and climbers face off
Because of the lack of flat stages, we won’t see sprinters at the roads of Spain this year. Instead, expect a big battle between superstar climbers! They will face some of the toughest climbs in a battle to outmatch their GC and stage-hunting rivals at the summit.
Embed from Getty ImagesWho can we expect to see? The current startlist includes defending champion Sepp Kuss, three-time Vuelta winner Primož Roglič, and experienced Spanish rider Mikel Landa. American fans will be eager to see Kuss, who was forced to skip the Tour de France this year due to post-COVID complications. The defending champ will be ready to tackle the tough climbs of the Vuelta and possibly claim his second Grand Tour title. Roglič had a hard fall in the Tour de France and was forced to abandon. Assuming that his health has recovered, he will be one of the biggest threat for his former teammate’s title defense!
Read more: Vuelta a España 2024 start list: Primož Roglič leads Red Bull, Tao Geoghegan Hart rides for Lidl-Trek (Cycling Weekly)
In addition to Landa, expect to see mid-performing Spanish GC guys like Enric Mas make an appearance. Mas will be accompanied by teammate Nairo Quintana, who may pull off a stage win surprise in the mountains. In addition, the team of UAE Team Emirates is one to watch. Tadej Pogačar recently announced that he would not contend for the Giro-Tour-Vuelta triple in order to give some of the other GC stars on his team a chance for the win. As such, expect a flashy showing from that squad, with major players like João Almeida, Marc Soler, and possibly Jay Vine. UAE’s Spanish climbing talent Juan Ayuso is not expected to be there, although he was invited by Vuelta organizers.
Read more: Tour Disappointments: 5 Riders with Something Left to Prove
Embed from Getty ImagesWout van Aert made waves when he announced his first Vuelta participation this year. We should see the Belgian all-rounder with some exciting chances at stage wins on the hilly stages. Another first-timer this year will be Ineos’s Joshua Tarling. We’re excited to see how this young time trial specialist enjoys his first time at the Grand Tour!
Read more: Kuss may be defending champ at the Vuelta, but Van Aert will ride for his own chances (Escape Collective)
Embed from Getty ImagesThis article will be updated with final startlist information as it becomes available!
A strange stage start… in a grocery store?
Here’s something fun! Vuelta audiences have an unusual historical milestone to look forward to in this year’s edition. Stage 6 of the Vuelta will start inside a Carrefour supermarket in Jerez Sur, Spain! This supermarket chain is a main sponsor for the race. Believe it or not, this is the first time in history that a cycling race has started inside a supermarket.
We just wonder… what do the riders of Lidl-Trek, sponsored by Lidl supermarket, think about starting in a competitor’s store?!
Embed from Getty ImagesAre you looking forward to watching the Vuelta a España this year? Let us know which stage is a can’t-miss in the comments! ★