Saturday 22 August – Vuelta a España stage 1: Monaco → Monaco (9.4 km)

Route

Stage 1 of the Vuelta a España 2026 is an individual time trial of 9.4 kilometres through the streets of Monaco. The start is at Place du Casino, with the finish at Port Hercule. The route is flat: the elevation gain is limited to around 59 metres.

The riders cover a loop through the principality, partly following the circuit of the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix. After the start at the Casino, a 180-degree bend follows at km 1.2 at Boulevard des Moulins, followed by bends via Avenue de la Madone and Avenue des Spélugues. The intermediate point lies at km 5.6, near the Route de la Piscine.

After the intermediate point comes a series of bends and tunnels along the quay: the Quai Antoine 1er, a 500-metre tunnel at the Rocher Antoine 1er and the Quai Jean Charles Rey. The road then runs via the Avenue des Ligures and the Avenue Albert II to the tunnel under the Rocher Palais, just before the finish at Port Hercule.

Final kilometres

The final kilometre is flat and technical. After the tunnel at the Rocher Palais, 0.7 km from the finish, a short straight run-in leads to the line at Port Hercule. The route has no climb in the closing stages, but does feature several bends that make it hard to maintain speed.

Recent editions

Monaco has never hosted a stage of the Vuelta before, so a comparison with previous editions on this route is not possible. There is historical context, however: the last time the Vuelta opened with an individual time trial was in 2021, in Burgos (7.1 km), won by Primož Roglič (then Jumbo-Visma). The last individual time trial in the Vuelta was stage 18 of last year's race: a shortened 12.2-kilometre stage in Valladolid, won by Filippo Ganna (then Ineos Grenadiers).

Scenarios

The time trial specialists take centre stage on this straight, technical route through Monaco. World champion Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates - XRG) is the top favourite for the first red jersey, with time trialists such as Stefan Küng (Tudor Pro Cycling Team) as the closest challengers.

Fast, explosive riders with strong time trial ability also have a chance on this short, flat stage. Wout van Aert (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) and Mads Pedersen (Lidl - Trek) combine sprint quality with a solid time trial and could get involved in the fight for the top times.

Local

Monaco is new as a stage host in the Vuelta: the peloton has never before ridden through the streets of the principality. Victor Langellotti (XDS Astana Team), born on 7 June 1995 in Monaco, starts in front of his home crowd. He is the first Monegasque rider ever to win a WorldTour race, with his victory in the Tour of Poland. The route partly follows the circuit of the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix.

Weather forecast

On Saturday 22 August, a maximum temperature of 27.4°C is expected in Monaco, with a minimum of 23.5°C. No precipitation is expected: the day will stay dry. In the finale there will be an easterly wind with gusts of up to 11.3 km/h, a limited factor on this short, technical route.