Key Takeaways
- 22 teams will compete: 18 WorldTeams and 4 ProTeams
- Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team earned a wildcard spot for their first-ever Vuelta
- Top contenders include Jonas Vingegaard, Tadej Pogačar, and Jai Hindley
- Primož Roglič (2024 champion) won’t defend his title in 2025
- Pogačar is attempting a rare Tour de France/Vuelta double
Team Lineup for the 2025 Vuelta
The 2025 Vuelta a España is gonna be packed with talent! This year’s race brings together 22 teams from around the world. Let’s break down who’s coming to Spain for this big race.
The organizers picked 18 WorldTeams (the top cycling teams) who get automatic spots. Then they added 4 ProTeams to round things out. This mix makes for an exciting race with both established stars and hungry newcomers.
What’s really cool about this year? Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team got their first-ever invite to the Vuelta! Their team manager Doug Ryder was super happy, saying they’ve got “a strong Spanish contingent” on their team. Even though they’re new to the Vuelta as a team, their riders have actually raced in it 36 times before when they rode for other teams. That’s a lotta experience!
Introducing the Vuelta a España Race Around Spain gives you more background on this amazing race if you’re new to it.
The full team list looks like this:
WorldTeams (18)
- Jumbo-Visma (now called Visma-Lease a Bike)
- UAE Team Emirates
- Soudal Quick-Step
- INEOS Grenadiers
- Lidl-Trek
- Bora-Hansgrohe
- Bahrain Victorious
- Movistar Team
- EF Education-EasyPost
- Groupama-FDJ
- Alpecin-Deceuninck
- Astana Qazaqstan
- Cofidis
- Intermarché-Wanty
- Team DSM-Firmenich PostNL
- Arkéa-B&B Hotels
- Team Jayco AlUla
- Uno-X Mobility
ProTeams (4)
- Lotto Dstny (automatic invitation as top-ranked ProTeam)
- Israel-Premier Tech (automatic invitation as second-ranked ProTeam)
- Burgos-BH (wildcard)
- Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team (wildcard)
Star Riders to Watch in 2025
Who’s gonna shine in the 2025 Vuelta? This year’s race has some big names missing and others stepping up. Let’s check out the main riders who’ll fight for the red jersey and stage wins.
The biggest news? Primož Roglič, who won in 2024 (his fourth Vuelta victory!), won’t be back to defend his title. This opens the door for new champions to emerge.
Jonas Vingegaard from Visma-Lease a Bike (formerly Jumbo-Visma) is one of the top favorites. After winning the Tour de France, he’s looking to add another Grand Tour to his collection. He’s got the climbing skills to handle Spain’s tough mountain stages.
Tadej Pogačar from UAE Team Emirates might try something really special – winning both the Tour de France and the Vuelta in the same year! This double is super hard to pull off, but if anyone can do it, it’s Pogačar. His explosive climbing and time trial abilities make him a threat on almost any terrain.
Jai Hindley from Bora-Hansgrohe is another rider to watch closely. The 2022 Giro d’Italia winner has the perfect skill set for the Vuelta’s challenging climbs. His team is building their strategy around him for this race.
For the sprint stages, keep an eye on these fast guys:
- Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) – won the points classification before
- Olav Kooij (Visma-Lease a Bike) – young Dutch sprinter looking for stage wins
- Kaden Groves – explosive finisher who’s done well in Spanish races
If you’re planning to watch the race in person, check out Biking Routes on Costa Blanca to find great spots to catch the action.
Team Strategies and Goals
Different teams come to the Vuelta with different plans. Some want the overall win, others just want stage victories, and some are looking to develop young riders. Let’s look at what the main teams are aiming for.
Visma-Lease a Bike is all in for Jonas Vingegaard. They’ve built a super strong team around him with climbers who can protect him in the mountains and powerful riders for the flat stages. Their goal? Nothing less than the red jersey in Madrid.
UAE Team Emirates has a tricky situation. If Pogačar races, he’s their clear leader. But if he skips the Vuelta, João Almeida will step up as their GC contender. Almeida has finished in the top 5 of Grand Tours before and could surprise everyone.
Bora-Hansgrohe is putting all their eggs in Jai Hindley’s basket. They’ve picked a team of strong climbers to support him in the mountains, where the Vuelta is often decided.
Lidl-Trek has a two-pronged approach. Mads Pedersen will target sprint stages and possibly the green points jersey, while they’ll also have a GC rider (maybe Giulio Ciccone) for the overall classification.
The Spanish teams like Movistar will be super motivated racing on home roads. They always bring their A-game to the Vuelta and will be hunting for stage wins at minimum.
For the smaller ProTeams, especially the wildcards like Q36.5 and Burgos-BH, getting in breakaways is key. They need TV time for their sponsors and will fight hard to get in the daily escapes. A stage win would be huge for these teams!
Route Highlights and Key Stages
The 2025 Vuelta route is brutal! It’s got everything from flat sprint stages to super steep mountain finishes. The organizers love to include crazy climbs with gradients that make even the best cyclists suffer.
While the full route details aren’t finalized yet, we can expect around 21 stages covering about 3,300 kilometers across Spain. The race typically includes:
- 6-7 flat stages for sprinters
- 3-4 individual time trial stages
- 8-10 mountain or hilly stages
- 1-2 rest days
The mountain stages in northern Spain are usually decisive. Places like Lagos de Covadonga, Angliru, and Alto de l’Angliru have gradients over 20% in some sections! These are where the GC contenders will attack each other.
The time trials will also be important for the overall classification. Riders like Vingegaard and Pogačar excel in these stages and could gain valuable time.
For Costa Blanca fans, there’s often a stage in this region. The Stage 8 Denia-Xorret de Cati from a previous edition shows how the race uses our local climbs.
The final week is always the hardest, with multiple mountain stages stacked together to really test who’s got anything left in their legs. The race typically ends with a flat stage in Madrid, giving sprinters one last chance for glory.
Historical Context and Records
The Vuelta has a rich history that adds extra meaning to the 2025 edition. Started in 1935, it’s the youngest of cycling’s three Grand Tours but has grown into a race with its own special character.
Primož Roglič made history in 2024 by winning his fourth Vuelta, tying Roberto Heras’ record for most overall victories. With Roglič not returning in 2025, we won’t see a new record set this year.
Spanish riders have historically dominated their home Grand Tour, winning 33 times in total. But recently, international stars have taken control. The last Spanish winner was Alberto Contador in 2014, so local fans are desperate for a home victory.
The Vuelta is known for being the most unpredictable Grand Tour. Its placement late in the season (August-September) means riders are either in peak form or completely exhausted from earlier races. This creates opportunities for surprise winners and dramatic racing.
Some interesting Vuelta records:
- Most stage wins: Delio Rodriguez with 39
- Most days in leader’s jersey: Alex Zülle with 48
- Youngest winner: Angelino Soler at 21 years old in 1961
If you’re interested in cycling history in Spain, Exploring Costa Blanca: Top 5 Scenic Bike Routes shows some roads that have featured in past editions.
Media Coverage and How to Watch
Wanna catch all the action of the 2025 Vuelta? You’ve got plenty of options! The race has grown in popularity, and TV coverage has expanded worldwide.
In Spain, RTVE provides comprehensive coverage with Spanish commentary. For English-speaking viewers, Eurosport is the main broadcaster across Europe, while Peacock and FloBikes cover the race in North America.
The official Vuelta website and app offer live tracking, results, and sometimes free streaming in regions without TV rights. They also provide detailed stage profiles and stats during the race.
Social media is huge for following the Vuelta too. The official accounts (@lavuelta) post updates, highlights, and behind-the-scenes content. Most teams and riders also share their experiences daily.
If you’re in Spain during the race, catching a stage live is an amazing experience! The “publicity caravan” comes through before the riders, throwing free stuff to spectators. Then the excitement builds as the helicopters appear overhead, signaling the approaching peloton.
For those watching from Costa Blanca, local bars often show the stages, creating a fun atmosphere to enjoy the race with fellow cycling fans. It’s almost as good as being roadside!
Some viewing tips:
- Mountain stages usually provide the most drama
- The last hour of racing is when most action happens
- Watch the “kilometro cero” (race start) for early breakaway attempts
- Follow live text updates if you can’t watch the video feed
Impact on Cycling Tourism in Spain
The Vuelta doesn’t just excite cycling fans – it boosts tourism too! Each year, the race showcases Spain’s beautiful landscapes, historic towns, and winding roads to millions of viewers worldwide.
After seeing these amazing places on TV, many cyclists plan trips to ride the same roads as their heroes. Costa Blanca is one of the biggest beneficiaries of this cycling tourism boom. Our region offers perfect weather, challenging climbs, and smooth roads that attract thousands of cyclists each year.
Local businesses definitely feel the positive effects. Bike Rentals shops see increased bookings, hotels fill with cycling groups, and restaurants serve hungry riders refueling after long days in the saddle.
The economic impact is huge. A study showed that each cycling tourist spends about 150€ per day – more than the average visitor. They also tend to travel in quieter seasons, helping businesses stay open year-round.
Communities along the Vuelta route get even more benefits. When a stage passes through, hotels sell out, restaurants are packed, and the whole town celebrates. The TV exposure puts small villages on the map, attracting visitors for years afterward.
For local cyclists, the Vuelta inspires more people to take up the sport. Bike clubs report membership increases after the race passes through, and more kids get interested in cycling.
If you’re planning a cycling trip inspired by the Vuelta, check out Bike Holidays for organized tours that let you experience the best routes without worrying about logistics.
Training Like a Vuelta Rider
Ever wondered how these pros prepare for such a tough race? Their training is super specific and starts months before the event.
Vuelta contenders typically build their fitness in stages:
- Base training (long, steady rides to build endurance)
- Intensity blocks (interval training to improve power)
- Race-specific preparation (simulating Vuelta conditions)
- Tapering (reducing volume while maintaining intensity before the race)
The key to Vuelta success is climbing ability. Riders spend weeks in the mountains, doing repeats on long climbs to prepare their bodies for the pain to come. They’ll often train at altitude to boost red blood cell production.
Heat adaptation is crucial too. The Vuelta is famous for scorching temperatures, sometimes over 40°C (104°F). Pros train in hot conditions or use heat chambers to get their bodies ready.
Want to train like a pro? Here are some tips you can apply to your own riding:
- Include structured intervals (try 4×8 minutes at threshold power with 4 minutes recovery)
- Do at least one long ride weekly (4+ hours)
- Practice climbing seated for efficiency
- Don’t neglect recovery – pros sleep 9-10 hours daily
- Stay hydrated and practice your nutrition strategy
If you’re visiting Costa Blanca, you can test yourself on the same climbs used in the Vuelta. The Ultimate Guide to Mountain Biking Adventures in Costa Blanca has great info on local mountains.
Remember that pros build fitness over years, not weeks. Be patient with your progress and enjoy the process!
Frequently Asked Questions
How many teams participate in the 2025 Vuelta a España?
The 2025 Vuelta features 22 teams: 18 UCI WorldTeams who qualify automatically and 4 ProTeams (including 2 wildcard selections).
Who are the main favorites to win the 2025 Vuelta?
The top contenders include Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike), Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) if he decides to race, and Jai Hindley (Bora-Hansgrohe).
Will Primož Roglič compete in the 2025 Vuelta?
No, Primož Roglič won’t defend his 2024 Vuelta title in the 2025 edition.
What is special about Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team’s participation?
Q36.5 received their first-ever Vuelta invitation as a wildcard team. Despite being new, their riders collectively have 36 previous Vuelta appearances.
How long is the 2025 Vuelta a España?
While exact details aren’t finalized, the Vuelta typically covers around 3,300 kilometers (2,050 miles) over 21 stages in a three-week period.
When does the 2025 Vuelta take place?
The Vuelta traditionally runs from late August to mid-September, occupying the third Grand Tour slot in the cycling calendar.
Can I watch the Vuelta if I’m visiting Costa Blanca?
Yes! Many local bars and restaurants show the race daily. You might even be able to watch a stage live if the route passes through the region.
How do teams qualify for the Vuelta?
All 18 UCI WorldTeams qualify automatically. The top two ProTeams in the rankings also receive automatic invitations, while the final two spots go to wildcard teams selected by the race organizers.
Buy the Vuelta Map Cycling Print Today
Vuelta Map Cycling Print – La Vuelta 1935 Edition
Celebrate the rich heritage of Spanish cycling with our bold Vuelta Map Cycling Print, inspired by the inaugural 1935 La Vuelta race. Featuring a custom vintage typeface and a vivid red background, this minimalist design brings iconic Grand Tour energy into your home, office, or pain cave.
Printed on sustainable 200gsm FSC-certified paper and available in A3 or A2 sizes, it pairs perfectly with our Tour de France and Giro d’Italia maps – collect all three and get 25% off.
Ships rolled in a recyclable tube. For framed options, add your print to the basket, then choose a frame on our framing page.