Spain cycling includes the Vuelta a Espaa, which is also the last leg of the Grand Tour. Third in line behind the Tour de France and Giro d'Italia, this bicycle race attracts some of the world's greatest and best-known competitors. Known as the Spanish Loop, it is the last super race of the season for Pro Tour riders.
Among the bicycle races in Spain, the Vuelta is the longest and most rugged. Over the course of three weeks, cyclists cover more than 2,050 miles, including a handful of mountain days.
Reportedly, the race is an excellent route for climbers, but sprinters also find plenty of crowd-inspiring opportunities to perform. Not only are the hills an extreme challenge, but of all the Spanish bike races, the Vuelta also contends with high temperatures and crosswinds.
The first Vuelta a España, held in 1935, actually coincided with the famed Giro d'Italia. The 14-stage race covered approximately 2,100 miles. In its third year, the race moved from April to June and increased to 22 stages on an extended course.
Top contenders from several countries continued to enter with enthusiasm in spite of the knowledge that they would face equipment failure and overwhelming favoritism for Spain's own master riders.
Through the war years and Spain's own difficulties — sponsors either withdrew or promoted the race among a dwindling field of entrants. By 1955, the Vuelta a España rebounded as one of the premier races in Spain. Internationally recognized riders participated, which made this edition a prestigious invitation for the future.
In recent history, the third week in September heralds the start of the Vuelta. While the route changes, mountainous regions with steep grades remain at the forefront of this amazing race. Even so, the majority of the course is still a flat run. This leads the contenders to a hard-charging finish and often a breakout battle in the last few hours.
Many notable cyclists have won the Vuelta, including:
Spanish pros continue to dominate the list with more than two dozen victories. Roberto Heras of Spain and Tony Rominger of Switzerland each hold three titles. A host of challengers from other countries, including Belgium, Colombia and the Netherlands, have also claimed a top step at the podium. In 2005, Dennis Menchov became the first Russian to win.
As with the Tour de France, the leader of each stage in the Vuelta proudly wears a colored jersey. In this case, it is the jersey de oro, or the golden jersey. Climbers compete for a King of the Mountains jersey followed by color variations for points competitions and combination leaders.
Approximately 22 teams from competing countries qualify each year for the Vuelta a España. All riders in the Vuelta must wear helmets. Team gear is required at all times, with few exceptions.
Training for the Vuelta, or any of the Grand Tours, has changed considerably since the first cycling events. Early contestants participated in mass alcohol consumption to ease the discomforts of the road. Today, team members engage in endurance training that escalates over several months. Cycling is a sport that requires exceptional muscular strength as well as heart and lung power. A multi-course schedule provides fitness training in a multitude of disciplines to combat the rigors of sprinting, mountain courses and breakouts.
As with many such competitions, the issue of drugs and testing is newsworthy. Indeed, in 2005, the disqualification of popular winner Roberto Heras was due to doping accusations. Testing is random among team members. However, race leaders and stage winners undergo mandatory blood work.
Some stages of the cycling route are along the Atlantic Ocean or the Mediterranean Sea. Tour and travel operators offer many packages for those who want to enjoy the spectacle of stage racing in Spain. They can even arrange for group cycling tours as part of the adventure.
If you choose to view only the grand finale, Madrid offers plenty of spectacular attractions as an outstanding tourist destination. The Vuelta a España finishes at the city's center. Accommodations sell out well in advance, so arrangements should be made several months before the event.