Preview: Vuelta a España (week 1)

An explosive start in the hills of Italy and Spain

The Vuelta a España kicks off outside of Spain, with three stages in the Italian region of Piedmont. This foreign start promises immediate fireworks and a fierce battle for the first red jersey. With a varied course—from flat sprint stages to treacherous hills and the first major mountains—the general classification riders, attackers, and sprinters will have to get into action right away. From Turin to Andorra, the Vuelta guarantees an unpredictable and spectacular first week.

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Stage previews for Stages 1 through 7

Stage 1 – August 23, 2025 | Turin – Novara (183 km) | Flat Stage

The Vuelta gets off to a flying start in Italy with a stage for the sprinters. The only hurdle is the Puerto Bianca - Tomalino, a 3rd category climb that the sprinters will undoubtedly survive. The finish in Novara brings back memories of illustrious names. Eddy Merckx won the opening of the Giro here in 1968, and more recently, Tim Merlier took the stage victory in the 2021 Giro. A perfect opportunity for the fastest men to battle for the first red jersey.

Stage 2 – August 24, 2025 | Alba – Limone Piemonte (157 km) | Hilly Stage

After yesterday's sprint fest, today is the turn of the attackers and puncheurs. With a relatively flat approach, the peloton on the 157 km route will face a serious climb to the finish in Limone Piemonte, a 2nd category climb of 1381 meters. Stefano Garzelli won the Giro stage here in 2002, a stage that was later overshadowed by a doping story. This stage is too tough for sprinters, so the red jersey will likely change hands.

Stage 3 – August 25, 2025 | San Maurizio Canavese – Ceres (139 km) | Hilly Stage

A short but powerful stage that is once again perfect for a successful attack. The peloton rides through hilly terrain towards the finish, but not before the Puerto Issiglio, a 2nd category climb, has to be conquered. At 849 meters, the climb is not long but has a steep finish. The chance of a breakaway is high, and the stage winner will come from the best climbers of the day.

Stage 4 – August 26, 2025 | Susa – Voiron (192 km) | Medium Mountain Stage

The Vuelta leaves Italy and enters the French Alps. With three serious climbs, including the Col de Montgenèvre and the Col du Lautaret (both 2nd category), the climbers get their first real chance to prove themselves. The finish in Voiron is after a fast descent, a place where Wout van Aert won the Dauphiné stage in 2019 after an impressive solo. Who has the legs to repeat this?

Stage 5 – August 27, 2025 | Figueres – Figueres (20 km) | Team Time Trial

The teams compete against the clock in a 20-kilometer team time trial, the first in the Vuelta since 2023. The route through the streets of Figueres, where Ethan Vernon won the second stage in the Volta a Catalunya this year, is relatively short but can create significant gaps in the classification. The red jersey is at stake. The last time a team time trial in the Vuelta was not the opening stage of the race was in 1992, when Gatorade won.

Recent team time trial winners in the Vuelta:

• 2023 | Team DSM - Firmenich

• 2022 | Jumbo - Visma

• 2019 | Astana

• 2017 | BMC

• 2016 | Team Sky