The 2026 Vuelta a España is shaping up to be one of the most demanding and unpredictable Grand Tours in recent memory.
Starting in Monaco on 22 August and finishing in Granada on 13 September, the race covers approximately 3 275 km across four countries and features six mountain stages, two individual time trials and a brutal final week in southern Spain.
The opening week will immediately test the general classification contenders. A short individual time trial in Monaco is followed by challenging terrain through France and Andorra, with the first major summit finish coming at Font Romeu on Stage 3.
Attention will then shift to Spain, where iconic climbs such as Alto de Aitana, Calar Alto and Sierra de la Pandera are expected to create significant time gaps among the favourites. The route appears designed to reward aggressive climbing rather than conservative racing.
FEARSOME ASCENT
The decisive week could be one of the toughest in Vuelta history. A 32 km time trial in Jerez de la Frontera will give the specialists a chance to gain precious seconds before riders tackle the fearsome ascent of Peñas Blancas and the queen stage finishing at Collado del Alguacil in the Sierra Nevada.
Adding further intrigue, the Vuelta will conclude in Granada rather than Madrid. With a challenging final stage around the historic Andalusian city, the battle for the red jersey may remain alive until the final day.
EARLY FAVOURITES
With the possibility of stars such as Tadej Pogačar, Jonas Vingegaard, Remco Evenepoel and Juan Ayuso lining up, cycling fans can expect three weeks of intense racing, spectacular mountain scenery and a fitting finale to the 2026 Grand Tour season.
You can catch the action daily live on TV or stream it via DSTV . Check the TV Guide for details.
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Stg 1: 22 Sat, Aug - Monaco - Monaco
Stg 2: 23 Sun, Aug - Monaco - Manosque
Stg 3: Mon, 24 Aug - Gruissan - Font Romeu
Stg 4: Tues, 25 Aug - Andorra la Vella - Andorra la Vella
Stg 5: Wed, 26 Aug - Falset - Roquetes
Stg 6: Thurs, 27 Aug - Alcossebre - Castelló
Stg 7: Fri, 28 Aug - Vall d'Alba - Aramón Valdelinares
Stg 8: Sat, 29 Aug - Puçol - Xeraco
Stg 9: Sun, 30 Aug - Villajoyosa - Alto de Aitana
REST DAY: MON, 31 AUG – REST DAY
Stg 10: Tues, 1 Sep - Alcaraz - Elche de la Sierra
Stg 11: Wed, 2 Sep - Cartagena - Lorca
Stg 12: Thurs, 3 Sep - Vera - Calar Alto
Stg 13: Fri, 4 Sep - Almuñécar - Loja
Stg 14: Sat, 5 Sep - Jaén - Sierra de la Pandera
Stg 15: Sun, 6 Sep - Palma del Río - Córdoba
REST DAY: MON, 7 SEP - REST DAY
Stg 16: Tues, 8 Sep - Cortegana - La Rábida
Stg 17: Wed, 9 Sep - Dos Hermanas - Sevilla
Stg 18: Thurs, 10 Sep - El Puerto de Santa María - Jerez de la Frontera
Stg 19: Fri, 11 Sep - Vélez-Málaga - Peñas Blancas
Stg 20: Sat, 12 Sep - La Calahorra - Collado del Alguacil
Stg 21: Sun, 13 Sep - Granada - Granada