The Vuelta once again leaves behind its trademark, a spectacular final week in which the overall classification will be decided… and finally a time trial through the streets of Madrid! From August 17th, starting in Lisbon, to September 8th, ending in the Spanish capital, the 21 stages of the 79th edition of the race will take place. The organization of the test divides the days into: six flat or hilly stages, thirteen middle and high mountain stages (nine from this final section), two individual time trials (the first and last stages) and two rest days. The individual time trial in Lisbon (three stages in Portugal) will show the first differences before giving way to a mountain that will be the protagonist from the fourth day. There will be mountains in the south and also in the north. The fight will go to the last meter, With the final time trial through the streets of Madrid, it is the final ball that can defend or win positions in the general classification. A total of 3,261 km that will decide the winner of La Vuelta 2024. Sepp Kuss, the current champion, announced in AS his intention to defend the title. We review the profiles of the 21 stages.
Stage 1, Saturday August 17th: Lisbon-Oeiras, 12 km (individual time trial)
The individual time trial returns to a first stage of the Vuelta with 12 kilometers at the mouth of the Tejo River. A fast and strong time trial for pure specialists. The effect of wind when driving along the coast can be a factor affecting the race.
Stage 2, Sunday August 18th: Cascais-Ourem, 191 km (hilly)
The first online stage of the Vuelta 24 will be almost 200 kilometers long. A winding day with constant ups and downs, with a Category 4 climb in the final part, but that shouldn’t get in the way of a sprint goal.
Stage 3, Monday August 19th: Lousâ-Castelo Branco, 191 km (wavy)
The final day in Portugal will be a little rougher than the previous ones, with a Category 2 port halfway through. Although it’s fairly twisty terrain, the most tolerable final part should lead to a new bunch sprint in Castelo Branco.
Stage 4, Tuesday August 20: Plasencia-Pico Villuercas, 167 km (mountain)
First mountain stage of this edition with 167 kilometers and four classification passes. Complicated from the start, a second class port and another first class for the first 50 kilometers, including Piornal. The breakaway will be the protagonist of these first ascents before the final climb at Pico Villuercas, with 3 kilometers on concrete and 15-16% ramps.
Stage 5, Wednesday August 21st: Fuente del Maestre-Sevilla, 170 km (flat)
A new clear opportunity for the fastest men in the peloton. The first part of the stage will be a little rougher before descending towards Seville, with a very favorable final part to complete a massive sprint in the streets of the Andalusian capital.
Stage 6, Thursday August 22nd: Carrefour Sur. Jerez de la Frontera-Yunquera, 181 km (mountain)
Second mountain stage, the difficulty of which is concentrated in the first and middle part of the day. From the beginning the terrain rises until you reach the climb to the Boyar mountain pass of the 1st category. Several Category 3 climbs will make the stage more difficult before the final climb to Yunquera, on a good day to try and win from the breakaway.
Stage 7, Friday August 23rd: Archidona-Córdoba, 179 km (hilly)
A flat stage through the province of Córdoba before the traditional finish in the capital. After an initial pass through the finish line, cyclists must negotiate the 14% climb to the Alto, which is used to select the peloton before heading back downhill to the finish line. It’s a favorable finish for fast men with enough strength to overcome this final difficulty before competing in a reduced sprint, as Magnus Cort did in 2021.
Stage 8, Saturday August 24th: Úbeda-Cazorla, 159 km (half mountain)
The mountains of Jaen will be the protagonist in a harsh day that invites you to escape. The Mirador de las Palomas pass will be the main difficulty of the day, before a final loop to the climb to Cazorla, a 3rd category climb that should not open much difference between the favorites.
Stage 9, Sunday August 25th: Motril-Granada, 178 km (mountain)
The first week of competition ends with a very tough mountain stage. The train starts practically at sea level and has to climb El Purche, a first category, before the double climb to Hazallanas. The finish line in Granada will witness an important day for the overall favorites.
Monday, August 26th: day off
Stage 10, Tuesday August 27th: Ponteareas-Baiona, 160 km (mountain)
Galicia receives La Vuelta 24 with a mountainous stage, with low altitude passes but no flat underground, with a 1st category climb at the beginning of the stage. The last part is about three ports that were already protagonists of the famous Mos stage, the Vuelta 21. The breakaways or a very small peloton should play for victory in Baiona.
Stage 11, Wednesday August 28: Cortizo Padrón Technological Campus-Cortizo Padrón Technological Campus, 164 km (half mountain)
New complicated stage in Galician territory with three 2nd category ports. Challenging terrain where it will be difficult for the peloton to control the breakaway group. A short but very hard climb 10 kilometers from the finish line will be crucial in deciding the stage winner.
Stage 12, Thursday August 29th: Ourense Termal-Manzaneda mountain station, 137 km (hilly with a high goal)
The breakaways should have plenty of opportunities for victory on this winding stage with an initial section through the Ribeira Sacra before facing the final climb to the Manzaneda mountain station. If they earn a good income at the foot of the harbor, the refugees will compete for victory.
Stage 13, Friday August 30th: Lugo-Puerto de Ancares, 171 km (mountain)
The Lugo roads were intended to serve as an escape route before entering Leonese territory. The Alto Campo de Arbre, third class, serves as a prologue to the final climb to Puerto de Ancares on its Leonese side, unprecedented in La Vuelta, with 7.7 kilometers at 9% and ramps of 15% and the last 5 on average of 12%. A very important conclusion for the men in the overall ranking.
Stage 14, Saturday August 31st: Villafranca del Bierzo-Villablino, 199 km (low mountain range)
The longest stage of the Vuelta 24. A flat first part will be the prelude to a final strenuous part that lies ahead after entering Asturian terrain before returning to Castile and León via Puerto de Leitariegos, a climb without major ramps but with 23 Kilometers On a stage of almost 200 kilometers it can be tough.
Stage 15, Sunday September 1st: Infiesto-Valgrande Pajares Cuitu Negru, 142 km (mountain)
The second week ends with a tough Asturian mountain stage. The double climb to Colladiella increases the hardness of a stage that culminates in Cuitu Negru, a true Asturian colossus that has its toughest kilometers after overcoming the Pajares station, with gradients of up to 23%. Important day for the general favorites.
Monday, September 2nd: day off
Stage 16, Tuesday September 3rd: Luanco-Lagos de Covadonga, 181 km (mountain)
Lagos de Covadonga, a climb already known among cyclists. A stage of considerable mileage that features two first-class ports, Fito and Llomena, where the breakaways will play a leading role before the final climb to the lakes. A dangerous stage as it takes place directly after the rest day and a favorite could take over.
Stage 17, Wednesday September 4th: Juan del Castillo Arnuero Santander Monument, 143 km (half mountain)
Last clear chance for the sprinters at this Vuelta. The two second passes in the first half will favor the formation of a breakaway group that should be controlled by the fast men’s teams in order to be able to survive in the sprint in Santander.
Stage 18, Thursday September 5th: Vitoria Gasteiz-Maeztu Izki Natural Park, 175 km (half mountain)
Medium mountain stage in Álava with a second-class climb and a first-class pass, 45 kilometers from the finish line, which could serve to eliminate the purest sprinters. Fast runners who pass the low mountain range well could be the favorites on a day like this and would be conducive to a small group sprint.
Stage 19, Friday September 6th: Logroño-Alto de Moncalvillo, 168 km (hilly with a high goal)
A practically flat day until the last part. The Alto de Moncalvillo, where Roglič won in 2020, has a gentle start and concentrates its difficulties in the final kilometers, which the favorites should take advantage of on their penultimate opportunity to close the gap.
Stage 20, Saturday September 7th: Villcarcayo-Picón Blanco, 171 km (mountain)
Key stage of the Vuelta 24 with seven scoring climbs. After climbing to the Puerto de Estacas de Trueba, the race climbs several climbs into Cantabrian territory before returning to the province of Burgos via the Portillo de Lunada. The Portillo de la Sía and the Puerto de Los Tornos will continue to provide additional rigor on a day that receives its final icing on the cake with the Picón Blanco, the final judge of the race.
Stage 21, Sunday September 8th: Distrito Telefónica Madrid-Madrid, 22 km (individual time trial)
The Vuelta (like the 2024 Tour) will have a time trial as the final stage of the race. Almost 22 kilometers without major technical or orographic difficulties that allow the best specialists to measure their rolling skills. If the overall ranking is close to this day, it will be 22 kilometers full of excitement right down to the last meter.
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