2024 Vuelta a España Race Preview
The details of this year's 2024 Vuelta a España are falling into place. Find the latest route profiles and maps below, followed by our strategic preview of the race.
The 2024 edition of La Vuelta a España promises to be one of the most compelling Grand Tours of the season, with a demanding route that should separate the true contenders from the pretenders before the race reaches its conclusion in Madrid.
The route this year leans heavily on the climbers, featuring multiple summit finishes across some of Spain's most brutal mountain terrain. The race will take in stages across Andalusia and into the mountains of central and northern Spain, with the organisers having designed a parcours that rewards pure climbers while leaving little room for error over the three weeks.
Sepp Kuss returns to defend the title he claimed in such dramatic fashion in 2023, though the American will face considerably stiffer competition this time around. His Visma Lease a Bike team presents something of an interesting dynamic, as Jonas Vingegaard and Primoz Roglic have both departed or shifted focus, meaning Kuss may have greater freedom but also less of the formidable support structure that helped carry him to victory last year.
Ben O'Connor of Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale arrives in strong form and will be hoping to challenge on the mountainous stages that suit his climbing style. Richard Carapaz, the former Giro winner with a Grand Tour pedigree beyond question, represents another serious threat, as does Enric Mas, who will be riding in front of home crowds and carrying the expectations of Spanish cycling on his shoulders.
The sprinters will have their opportunities in the opening days and on select flat stages through the race, with Kaden Groves and Tim Merlier among those expected to contest bunch finishes. However, this Vuelta looks built for the mountains, and it is in those high altitude stages where the race will ultimately be won and lost.
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