Vuelta a Espana - (Tour of Spain) Betting Odds and Event Info
Date: 2027.09.04 - 2027.09.26
Contest: CYCLING
Location: Spain
While Tour de France and Giro d'Italia remain the premier bicycle racing events in the world, the Vuelta a Espana is a result of the great success of the two premier races. Vuelta a Espana is a bicycle race which includes multiple stages and is held in the country of Spain for the most part, with some neighboring countries hosting portions of it.
HistoryThe inaugural edition of Vuelta a Espana was held in 1935, following the great success of the two biggest events in bicycle racing (Tour de France and Giro d'Italia). The Spanish Civil War and World War 2 hindered its progress and caused cancellations of multiple editions. However, since 1955 it has been regularly held on an annual basis.
Status
Vuelta holds the status of being a prestigious Grand Tour of Cycling. In total, there are three Grand Tours, the other two being the Tour de France and Giro d'Italia. Like the other two grand tours, Vuelta a Espana is normally a three-week race held over a 23-day period with two rest days.
The race usually concludes in the Spanish capital Madrid, although the finish location can change. The 2026 edition finished in Granada for the first time.
Vuelta a Espana Betting Markets
Available markets vary by bookmaker and may include the overall winner, individual stage winners, podium finishes, classification winners and head-to-head matchups between riders.
The route, confirmed field, recent form and team support all influence the betting picture. Mountain stages and time trials are particularly important when assessing overall contenders, while a stage winner market requires a closer look at that day's terrain and the chances of a breakaway succeeding.
2026 Winner
Enric Mas of Spain won the 2026 Vuelta a Espana for Movistar Team, securing the first Grand Tour victory of his career. He became the first Spanish rider to win the Vuelta since Alberto Contador in 2014.
The final general classification podium was:
- 1st: Enric Mas, Movistar Team - 73 hours, 52 minutes and 55 seconds.
- 2nd: Primoz Roglic, Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe - 2 minutes and 15 seconds behind.
- 3rd: Felix Gall, Decathlon CMA CGM Team - 2 minutes and 44 seconds behind.
The race concluded in Granada on September 13, with Tobias Halland Johannessen winning the final stage. Wout van Aert won the points classification, Santiago Buitrago won the mountains classification, and Oscar Onley finished as the best young rider.
The 2025 winner was Jonas Vingegaard of Denmark, riding for Visma-Lease a Bike. He finished ahead of Joao Almeida and Tom Pidcock to claim his first Vuelta title.
Classifications and Contests
The general classification determines the overall winner of the race. However, just like the other two grand tours, other contests are held within the race depending on different classifications.
Classifications at Vuelta a Espana include the following:
- General classification: The rider with the lowest accumulated time leads the race and wears the red jersey.
- Points classification: Points are awarded at stage finishes and intermediate sprints. The leader wears the green jersey.
- Mountains classification: Riders earn points on designated climbs, with the leader wearing a white jersey with blue polka dots.
- Young rider classification: The best eligible rider under 26 in the general classification wears the white jersey.
- Team classification: Calculated by adding each team's three best individual times on each stage.
The combination classification was discontinued in 2019, when the white jersey was reassigned to the best young rider.
Stages
In total, there are normally 21 stages in Vuelta a Espana, each held on a different day. Each rider's time is recorded, and accumulated times, adjusted for time bonuses and penalties, determine the overall winner.
The total distance varies with the route, which changes from year to year. The race combines flat, hilly and mountain stages with time trials, providing opportunities for different types of riders.
Trophy
The Vuelta a Espana trophy is awarded to the winner of the race. In 2025, the organizers introduced trophies made from recycled bicycle tyres. The overall winner's design featured the V from the race logo and the names of previous champions.
Past Records and Winners
Stage Wins - Delio Rodriguez
Delio Rodriguez leads the record charts at Vuelta a Espana with 39 stage wins at the race. The next best stands at 20, almost half the number of stages won by Rodriguez. This shows how successful and dominant the Spanish cyclist has been at the Vuelta.
Alessandro Petacchi
The Italian cyclist Alessandro Petacchi has won a total of 20 stages at the Vuelta, which makes him the second most successful cyclist in terms of stage wins at the Vuelta.
Rik Van Looy and Laurent Jalabert
The Belgian cyclist Rik Van Looy and French cyclist Laurent Jalabert have each won 18 stages in Vuelta a Espana.
Most Vuelta a Espana Victories - Roberto Heras and Primoz Roglic
Roberto Heras enjoyed great success at the Vuelta a Espana, especially between 1997 and 2005. During that period, he finished among the top five in every edition except 1998, when he finished sixth.
Heras shares the record for the most overall Vuelta victories with Primoz Roglic, with four titles each.
- Roberto Heras: 2000, 2003, 2004 and 2005.
- Primoz Roglic: 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2024.
In 2024, Primoz Roglic from Slovenia equaled Roberto Heras' record by winning his fourth Tour of Spain.
Most Days as Leader
The two-time Vuelta a Espana winner, Alex Zulle, holds the record for being the leader at Vuelta for most days. He led the Vuelta for a record 48 days.
The 2027 Vuelta a Espana
The 2027 Vuelta a Espana is scheduled to take place from September 4-26. The race will start in Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, and is set to finish in Madrid.
Galicia will host at least four stages, with the opening stage inspired by the Camino de Santiago. The full route has not yet been announced.
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