The Route of the 2022 La Vuelta a España in Detail

The peloton will take off from the Netherlands, a territory that is already well-known to La Vuelta, having celebrated its official departure from Assen in 2009.

Vuelta 22 Stage 1 — An inaugural time trial longer than that of previous editions. 23.3 km that will criss-cross Utrecht’s wide avenues without technical difficulties. No significant differences are expected among the leading teams. Dutch fans, who are truly passionate about cycling, will guarantee spectator success. (Fernando Escartín on stage 1)

“We finally return to Utrecht, Breda, and ‘s-Hertogenbosch, without losing even an ounce of our enthusiasm. In a special year, when all of the Grand Tours are having official departures abroad, we look forward to what will be an unforgettable official start in an authentic cycling paradise like the Netherlands,” said Javier Guillén, General Director of La Vuelta, of the first three stages.

Following a rest day to allow everyone to return to Spain, the race will resume in Euskadi. Basque fans will gather along the roads to watch the peloton ride past as it comes in from Álava and heads towards Guipuzkoa, ending its journey through the Basque country with a departure and a finish line in Bilbao.

Vuelta stage 6 — A stage where escapes are likely to go well and last until the end. The succession of Las Alisas and the Collada de Bremes will create a natural selection before arriving at Jano Peak. This long, stretched-out, and unprecedented mountain pass may leave one of the favourites behind if his strength fails him. (Fernando Escartín on Stage 6)

The riders will then cross over to the Principality of Asturias, with two pure mountain finish lines: a new one (Colláu Fancuaya), and a well-known one (Les Praeres). The second week of the competition will start in the Province of Alicante, which will host an over 30-kilometre-long ITT. Then, the peloton will continue to advance towards the regions of Murcia and Andalusia.

“Few places are more representative of La Vuelta or of our country than Andalusia,” explains Javier Guillén. “We’re also celebrating a historical anniversary: La Vuelta will depart from Sanlúcar de Barrameda 500 years to the day from the moment Sebastián Elcano returned to Spain after completing the first circumnavigation of the globe.”

La Vuelta 22 stage 20 — Many may recall the stage where Fabio Aru was declared the winner of La Vuelta 15. This one is very similar. A classic route along the Guadarrama Mountain Range with climbs up the Morcuera and Canencia mountain passes and two laps of Navacerrada. The teams can prepare their battle strategies from the beginning and make this stage a decisive one for the general classification. (Fernando Escartín on Stage 20)

The last week is where the general classification will be decided. First in Extremadura, with two unprecedented high-altitude finales before arriving in the Autonomous Community of Madrid. The second-last stage is very similar to the one of the 2015 La Vuelta where Fabio Aru took the red jersey from Tom Dumoulin. Anything can happen on that stage!

After last year’s grand finale at Santiago de Compostela, the race will return to its traditional final circuit in Madrid.

Can’t wait, right?