Vuelta a España 2026: Date for route presentation fixed - kick-off with Formula 1 feeling
Thomas Goldmann
· 29.10.2025
The Principality of Monaco is making cycling history and will be the first city in the world to host the start of all three Grand Tours in 2026. After the Giro start in 1966 and the Tour de France start in 2009, the Vuelta a España 2026 will now follow with a 9.6-kilometre individual time trial through the streets of Monaco. The route was unveiled at a presentation at One Monte-Carlo in the presence of Prince Albert II, Minister of State Christophe Mirmand and Vuelta Director Javier Guillén. The complete route of the 2026 Tour of Spain will be presented on 17 December 2025 at 7 pm will be unveiled at the Monte-Carlo Sporting - Salle des étoiles, as officially announced by the organiser Unipublic on Wednesday.
Vuelta a España 2026 - important information
- Date: 22.08. - 13.09.2026
- 21 stages
- Stage 1 | Saturday, 22 August 2026 | Monaco - Monaco | 9.6 kilometres (individual time trial)
- Stage 2 | Sunday, 23 August 2026 | Monaco - ?
- Official route presentation on 17 December 2025 at 7 pm
The Vuelta may also attract riders with the start in Monaco. Tadej Pogačar at the start. After all, the Slovenian lives in the Principality and the Tour of Spain is the only Grand Tour that the 27-year-old has not yet won after his victories at the Tour de France (four times) and Giro d'Italia (once). He finished third in 2019 and has not started in the Tour of Spain since then.
The importance of this event goes far beyond pure sport, as Prince Albert II emphasised. Monaco has the organisational experience of prestigious events, with the Formula 1 Grand Prix being the most important event.
Vuelta a España 2026 in Monaco with Formula 1 finish
The individual time trial to kick off the Vuelta a España 2026 on 22 August starts at the legendary Casino Square and takes the riders through the most striking areas of the Principality. The route passes the Hôtel de Paris, the Café de Paris and the Moulins district before heading to the Larvotto neighbourhood via the Fairmont bend. Port Hercule and Port de Fontvieille are further highlights of the technically demanding route, which passes the Stade Louis II.
The finish of stage 1 of the 2026 Tour of Spain will be located on Boulevard Albert I at the start-finish line of the Monaco Grand Prix, where the cyclists will battle for seconds on the same tarmac surface as the Formula 1 drivers. This symbolic link underlines Monaco's status as the centre of motorsport and cycling alike. The compact track layout allows spectators to see the drivers several times at different points and follow the time intervals live.
Four-day cycling festival of the Tour of Spain 2026
The celebrations for the Vuelta a España 2026 will begin on 20 August with the traditional team presentation, which will kick off four days of cycling at the highest level. The time trial on Saturday will be the sporting highlight before the second stage starts in front of the Prince's Palace on Sunday. The actual start will be from the Jardin Exotique, from where the riders will first ride into France.
Minister of State Christophe Mirmand referred to the 300 days until the start of the Tour of Spain and its significance for Monaco's sporting history. The Principality is preparing to write a new page in its intense and illustrious sporting tradition. The combination of a historic backdrop and modern organisation promises an unforgettable experience for riders and spectators alike.
Vuelta boss Javier Guillén added: "Monaco is synonymous with sporting excellence and organisational expertise. Some of the most prestigious events in the world take place here, including the prestigious Formula 1 Grand Prix. Starting the Vuelta in this setting is both an honour and a guarantee of success for everyone involved."
