14 AUGUST -5 SEPTEMBER
VUELTA A ESPAÑA
ESTABLISHED 1935 EDITIONS 76
Of all the biggest races in the WorldTour -the monuments, grand tours and the World Championships -the Vuelta has gained most in prestige compared to its roots in the last couple of decades. Even into the 2000s, it was a relatively parochial affair, and as recently as 2004, 23 of the final top 25 riders (including the entire top 10) were Spanish. In its early years, it suffered from the political instability of its home country, and the poor economy -it only started up in the 1930s, compared to the Tour and Giro which started in 1903 and 1909, and it only settled into taking place annually from 1955.
The Vuelta benefitted greatly from its shift in the calendar from spring to late summer in the mid-1990s, but it’s the perception that along with the Tour and Giro it is one of the biggest three stage races in the world, that has fed its growth in prestige in recent years. Even after it became a more international event, it remained a consolation prize after the Tour. But now it attracts virtually the same level of field as the Tour itself, and the days of obscure winners are over forever. Primož Roglic has won the last two, and Chris Froome, Nairo Quintana and Alberto Contador have also won in the course of the last decade.