Vuelta a España 2022: Calendar and route

The Vuelta a España begins its 77th edition this Friday, August 19, in Utrecht, which will end, after 21 stages, on Sunday, September 11, with the traditional arrival of the peloton in Madrid.

The Spanish test begins outside the national territory for the third time in its history, and Utrecht becomes the first Dutch city to receive the three great cycling rounds (Giro d'Italia in 2010 and Tour de France in 2015).

The first three stages will be played there, before the test moves to Spain.

The route of this edition of the Vuelta begins with a 23.3-kilometre team time trial, a modality that the Tour de France and the Giro have banished in their 2022 edition, but which remains in the Spanish round.

The Vuelta reaches Spanish soil in the fourth stage, with 153.5 kilometers of medium mountain that ends with a thrilling descent to Laguardia.

The first hilltop finish of a stage will be in the sixth, with an ascent to Valle de Iguña, with 12.7 km at 6.5%.

In the eighth stage, which will be run in Asturias, the favorites will have the opportunity to start marking distances with 154.5 kilometers that include four ascents before the climb to Colláu Fancuaya.

In the 12th they will face 20 kilometers with an average gradient of 6.5% and sections above 11%.

In the 17th they will find a leg-breaking route of 160 kilometers that ends at the Tentudía Monastery.

In total there will be eight flat stages, two with a high finish, four mid-mountain, seven mountain and two time trials, one individual and one for teams.

The peloton will have a transfer day, Monday August 22 to travel from the Netherlands to Spain, and two rest days: Monday August 29, once the ninth stage between Villaviciosa and Les Praeres is over;

and a week later, on Monday, September 5, after the very tough 15th stage, in which the cyclists will have two infernal ascents, to Alto del Purche (12 km at 6.5%) and to Hoya de la Mora (22 km at 6%).

Primoz Roglic, winner of the last three Vueltas, will be the rival to beat for the rest of the candidates: Richard Carapaz, winner of the 2018 Giro and second in the last edition of the Spanish round;

Jai Hindley, who was also second in 2020 in Italy;

or the leader of the UAE João Almeida, who is looking to make his debut on a grand tour podium.

Enric Mas is the Spaniard aiming for a higher position.

The entire competition can be followed through Eurosport, TVE and Teledeporte.

The estimated time for the start of the stages is between 12:00 and 13:00, with the exception of the first (individual time trial) and last stage, which will start at 17:00 and 17:30.

The estimated time of arrival at the finish line (unless unforeseen) is between 16:30-17:30.

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