This summer's 80th Vuelta a España, staged between August 23 and September 14, is shaping up to be a contemporary classic. Whereas its Grand Tour competitors are famous for their legendary strains, the Vuelta has become renowned as a determined, volatile, and often ruthlessly demanding challenge. The 2025 race, which has its historic beginnings in Italy and a record number of mountain stages, is a testament to this history. With a constellation of heavyweights competing for the red jersey, the battle for the jersey will be an exciting event from the opening pedal stroke.
La Vuelta 2025 – Piemonte – Madrid Map
Image Source: https://www.lavuelta.es/en/overall-route
A Brief History of the La Vuelta
One of cycling's three major Grand Tours, the Vuelta a España was founded in 1935 by Spanish newspaper “Informaciones”. It was founded from the enormous popularity of the Tour de France and Giro d'Italia. The event has come a long way in the decades, being suspended by the Spanish Civil War and World War II before settling into the modern style.
The most emblematic jersey in the race, the leader's jersey, has similarly evolved in color. It began bright orange, followed by white, yellow, and then golden before it finally became "La Roja" (The Red) in 2010. Translating into the second week in late summer in 1995 also solidified it as the season-ending and typically most dramatic Grand Tour.
All-Time Winners and Records
The Vuelta has been a platform for some of cycling's biggest names. The list of all-time winners is a testament to the race's challenging nature, usually the best-rounded and most durable riders.
| Category | Record Holder(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Most General Classification Victories | Roberto Heras, Primož Roglič | Each has four wins, a true mark of dominance. |
| Most Stage Wins | Delio Rodríguez | An astounding 39 stage victories. |
| Most Points Classification Wins | Alejandro Valverde, Laurent Jalabert, Sean Kelly | Three legends tied with four wins each. |
| Most Mountains Classification Wins | José Luis Laguía | With five victories, he is the undisputed "King of the Mountains." |
The 2025 La Vuelta: Stage-by-Stage Breakdown
The 2025 itinerary is a gift to the mountaineers and a worst nightmare for the sprinters. There are 10 mountain top finishes with a cumulative increase in elevation of nearly 53,000 meters, and this is a race that needs to be won atop mountains. The action begins in Italy, moves to France, and then Spain, and the climax happens in the final week.
Stage Details: An Analytical Look
Here is the breakdown of each of the 21 stages and how it could influence the race as a whole.
| Stage | Date | Route | Type | Distance (km) | Elevation Gain (m) | Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aug 23 | Turin – Novara | Flat | 186.1 | 1,337 | A classic bunch sprint, perfect for the fast men to vie for the first red jersey. A relatively long but flat stage to ease into the Grand Tour. |
| 2 | Aug 24 | Alba – Limone Piemonte | Flat, Uphill Finale | 159.8 | 1,884 | The first test for GC contenders. Small gaps could appear on the final climb. The uphill finish provides an early glimpse of form. |
| 3 | Aug 25 | San Maurizio – Ceres | Medium Mountains | 134.6 | 1,996 | A day for breakaways or punchy climbers. The short distance could make for aggressive racing and a Classics-style finale. |
| 4 | Aug 26 | Susa – Voiron | Medium Mountains | 206.7 | 2,919 | The longest stage of the race. It takes the peloton from Italy to France, featuring several categorized climbs early on before a long descent and a relatively flat run-in to the finish. |
| 5 | Aug 27 | Figueres – Figueres | Team Time Trial | 24.1 | 86 | The first major GC shake-up. Strong teams like Visma and UAE will gain a crucial advantage on this flat and fast course. |
| 6 | Aug 28 | Olot – Pal. Andorra | Mountains | 170.3 | 2,475 | The first genuine summit finish, crossing into Andorra. This stage will be a major test for the pure climbers and a chance to make a statement. |
| 7 | Aug 29 | Andorra la Vella – Cerler | Mountains | 188 | 4,211 | Another brutal mountain stage with multiple climbs and a summit finish. This could expose weaknesses among the GC contenders early in the race. |
| 8 | Aug 30 | Monzón – Zaragoza | Flat | 163.5 | 1,236 | A flat stage that provides a brief respite for the GC riders. This is a clear opportunity for the pure sprinters who have survived the mountain stages. |
| 9 | Aug 31 | Alfaro – Valdezcaray | Hilly, Uphill Finale | 195.5 | 3,311 | A classic Vuelta stage with an uphill finish perfect for a strong puncheur or an opportunistic GC rider. The final climb to the ski resort of Valdezcaray will be a key test. |
| Rest Day | Sep 1 | Pamplona | - | - | - | A much-needed break for the riders to recover before the intense second week. |
| 10 | Sep 2 | Sendaviva – Larra Belagua | Flat, Uphill Finale | 175.3 | 3,082 | The race resumes with a stage that is mostly flat but ends with a climb that could see a change of leadership or a breakaway victory. |
| 11 | Sep 3 | Medium Mountains | Medium Mountains | 157.4 | 3,185 | A difficult, hilly stage with an urban circuit around Bilbao. It's a day for the Classics specialists and strong breakaway riders. |
| 12 | Sep 4 | Laredo – Corrales de Buelna | Medium Mountains | 144.9 | 2,393 | A shorter stage with several climbs. This is a day that could favor either a late attack from a GC rider or a powerful breakaway. |
| 13 | Sep 5 | Cabezón – L'Angliru | Mountains | 202.7 | 3,964 | The Queen Stage of the Vuelta. This stage features the legendary Alto de L'Angliru, one of the steepest and most brutal climbs in professional cycling. This is where the race will be won or lost. |
| 14 | Sep 6 | Avilés – La Farrapona | Mountains | 135.9 | 3,805 | A short but intense mountain stage with a summit finish. Coming after the Angliru, it will be a day of reckoning for riders who are feeling the fatigue. |
| Rest Day | Sep 8 | Pontevedra | - | - | - | The final rest day provides a last chance for riders to recover before the decisive final week. |
| 16 | Sep 9 | Poio – Mos | Medium Mountains | 167.9 | 167.9 | The final week begins with a hilly stage that will test the riders' legs after the rest day. The punchy climbs could allow for attacks from a strong breakaway. |
| 17 | Sep 10 | O Barco – Alto de El Morredero | Medium Mountains | 143.2 | 3,371 | Another day for the puncheurs and breakaway artists, with a challenging climb and a descent to the finish line. |
| 18 | Sep 11 | Valladolid – Valladolid | Individual Time Trial | 27.2 | 140 | The final individual time trial of the race. This is a decisive stage that will be crucial for the final overall classification. It's a chance for the TT specialists to gain time on the pure climbers. |
| 19 | Sep 12 | Rueda – Guijuelo | Flat | 161.9 | 1,517 | The last chance for the sprinters to shine. A straightforward flat stage where the fast men will look to dominate. |
| 20 | Sep 13 | Robledo – Bola del Mundo | Mountains | 165.6 | 4,226 | The final mountain stage and the last opportunity for the climbers to make a move on the GC. The Bola del Mundo is a famously difficult climb and will be a fitting finale for the |
| 21 | Sep 14 | Alalpardo – Madrid | Flat | 111.6 | 917 | The traditional final stage in Madrid, a ceremonial procession that ends with a fast sprint finish. The overall winner will celebrate their victory on the final laps. |
2025 Highlights So Far
The race has already delivered on its promise of drama. The first three stages in Italy have set the platform for a three-week thrilling battle.
Stage 1: Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) showed his sprint dominance by taking the victory and the first red jersey of the tour.
Stage 2: Jonas Vingegaard (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) proved that his condition is among the best, winning the ascent to take the red jersey in a legendary photo finish.
Stage 3: David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ) claimed a surprise stage win and moved into the lead of the GC, now level on time with Vingegaard.
The general classification is then a tight fight, and the top favorites are separated by seconds. The mountains classification is led by Alessandro Verre (Arkéa-B&B Hotels), and Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates) holds the youth classification jersey.
General Classification (GC) Favorites and Previews
The absence of two-time defending titleholder Primož Roglič, Tadej Pogačar, and Remco Evenepoel has left the door wide open for a free-for-all list of favorites. Nevertheless, some names rank ahead of the rest.
The Favorites:
Jonas Vingegaard (Team Visma | Lease a Bike): The two Tour de France title winner is the clear favorite. He has already shown his condition with an early-stage win and has the support of a powerful team. His climbing skills suit the hilly course perfectly.
Juan Ayuso and João Almeida (UAE Team Emirates): These two are a two-pronged attack. Both are on-form climbers and can also provide a decent time trial. This pair may give other teams the initial shock and hence put them on the back foot and open up strategic opportunities of attacks.
The Challengers:
Giulio Ciccone (Lidl-Trek): The Italian has been in great shape at the start of the race and has a good climber. He could be a genuine contender to beat for a podium spot.
Egan Bernal (Ineos Grenadiers): The Tour de France winner returned from injury and has ridden well to date. He is an outsider who could spring upset.
Jai Hindley (Red Bull–Bora–Hansgrohe): The winner of the Giro d'Italia is a skilled climber and might be a force to reckon with in the high mountains.
Current Betting Odds via Stake.com
The bookmaker's odds are a representation of the race's current standing, with Jonas Vingegaard being the overwhelming favorite. These odds may change, but they indicate who the experts think are currently the strongest contenders.
Outright Winner Odds (as of August 26, 2025):
Jonas Vingegaard: 1.25
João Almeida: 6.00
Juan Ayuso: 12.00
Giulio Ciccone: 17.00
Hindley Jai: 31.00
Jorgenson Matteo: 36.00
To check latest betting odds: Click Here
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Overall Prediction
The odds bet on the prevailing sentiment: Jonas Vingegaard's battle against Ayuso and Almeida of the UAE Team Emirates is the dominant story. The mountain stage record and such ascents as L'Angliru will be the deciding factor. Considering his initial form and ascending capability, Jonas Vingegaard is the likeliest favorite to win the race, yet he will face strong competition from the mighty UAE team and other opportunistic GC riders.
Conclusion
The 2025 Vuelta a España on its face appears to be an enthralling and extremely competitive Grand Tour. With its tough, rider-friendly course and a heavy mix of GC contenders, the race is anything but won. The favorites have already shown in the first week that they are in good shape, but the true test will only be in store for weeks two and three. The final time trial and the last mountain stages, particularly the legendary L'Angliru and Bola del Mundo, will determine who ultimately dons the red jersey in Madrid.
