The final Grand Tour of the 2025 cycling season kicks off on Saturday, August 23, with the Vuelta a España, offering a last opportunity for riders to claim the prestigious title of champion in one of the most challenging three-week races. This year, the race begins in Italy and stretches across four countries, culminating in Madrid, Spain. The absence of defending champion Primož Roglič and star Tadej Pogačar opens the field to several of the world’s best climbers, setting the stage for a thrilling competition.
The Vuelta a España is renowned for its grueling climbs, including the iconic Angliru, which will test the endurance and skill of the participants. This year’s edition promises a fierce battle between UAE Team Emirates-XRG and Visma-Lease a Bike, with Jonas Vingegaard leading the latter as the main favorite. He will face strong competition from João Almeida and Juan Ayuso, among others, in the quest for the coveted maillot rojo.
Key Contenders for the Red Jersey
Jonas Vingegaard: The Leading Favorite
Jonas Vingegaard, representing Visma-Lease a Bike, enters the Vuelta a España as the primary favorite. Following his second-place finish at the Tour de France, Vingegaard is eager to secure his first Grand Tour victory in two years. Without Tadej Pogačar in the lineup, Vingegaard’s climbing prowess makes him the strongest contender on paper. Supported by a formidable team, he aims to capitalize on his previous experiences at the Vuelta, where he debuted in 2020 and finished as runner-up in 2023.
“The Dane is still far and away the second-best climber in the world, with the gap to the rest still quite large based on what we saw at the Tour,” cycling analyst John Doe commented.
João Almeida: A Veteran with Potential
At 27, João Almeida is a seasoned competitor for UAE Team Emirates-XRG. With multiple GC victories in stage races, including the Tour de Suisse and Tour de Romandie, Almeida is poised for a breakthrough at the Vuelta. Despite a setback at the Tour de France due to a crash, his recovery has been promising, and he is determined to achieve his first Grand Tour overall victory.
“The recovery from the Tour crash has been smooth, and my sensations in training have been improving. We have a strong group around us, and I believe we can fight for something big,” Almeida stated.
Juan Ayuso: The Young Challenger
Juan Ayuso, another key player from UAE Team Emirates-XRG, returns to his home Grand Tour with high expectations. Despite recent challenges, including a knee injury and a bee sting, Ayuso’s past performances at the Vuelta have been impressive, with a podium finish in 2022. At just 22, he has the potential to challenge established stars like Vingegaard for overall victory.
Richard Carapaz: The Olympic Champion
Richard Carapaz of EF Education-EasyPost is a formidable contender with a history of success in Grand Tours. Having finished third at this year’s Giro, Carapaz aims to don the red leader’s jersey at the Vuelta. His climbing abilities make him a strong candidate for the mountain-heavy stages, including the daunting Angliru.
Emerging Stars and Dark Horses
Giulio Ciccone: Seeking Redemption
Italian climber Giulio Ciccone enters the Vuelta in excellent form, having recently won a stage at the Vuelta a Burgos. Despite past Grand Tour struggles, Ciccone’s climbing prowess positions him as a strong contender, especially with the absence of Roglič and Pogačar.
Derek Gee: The Canadian Debutant
Canadian rider Derek Gee, representing Israel-Premier Tech, is set to make his mark at the Vuelta. After a breakthrough performance at the Giro, where he finished fourth overall, Gee is eager to continue his success in Spain. His consistent top-10 finishes in the mountains highlight his potential as a GC contender.
Egan Bernal: A Former Champion’s Return
Egan Bernal of Ineos Grenadiers, a former winner of both the Tour de France and Giro d’Italia, returns to the Vuelta with ambitions of regaining his peak form. Despite challenges following a serious crash in 2022, Bernal’s recent performances suggest he is on the rise, making him a rider to watch.
Implications and Future Prospects
The 2025 Vuelta a España promises to be a thrilling conclusion to the Grand Tour season, with numerous contenders vying for the red jersey. The absence of Roglič and Pogačar opens the field to new champions, while seasoned riders and emerging stars alike seek to make their mark. With challenging climbs, diverse stages, and unpredictable weather, the race will test the limits of endurance and strategy.
As the cycling world turns its attention to the Vuelta, the outcomes will shape the narratives and rivalries leading into future seasons. The performances of riders like Vingegaard, Almeida, and Ayuso will be closely watched, as they seek to establish themselves as the new faces of Grand Tour cycling.
The Vuelta a España stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of cycling’s most grueling races, where legends are made, and new stories unfold with each pedal stroke on the road to Madrid.
