Cycling: route, favorites, French chances... Everything you need to know about the Tour of Spain

As has been the case for many years, the 2025 Tour of Spain will be broadcast on Eurosport . The event will also be available on HBO Max . Most of the time, the broadcast will begin in the early afternoon. But depending on the stage—length, start time—the live broadcast may start a little earlier, or a little later.

A demanding route. 3,151 kilometers are on the program for this ^80th Vuelta a España . And as is often the case, the Spanish race will be (very) mountainous. To reach Madrid (Spain) from Turin (Italy), the riders will have to face nearly 55,000 meters of positive elevation gain. Nothing less. The difficult things will begin on the second stage with the final climb to Limone Piemonte (9.9 km at 5.1%). Many summit finishes will follow – often after several climbs –, such as in Andorra at Pal (9.6 km at 6.5%, ^6th stage), Cerler (12.1 km at 5.9%, ^7th stage), Valdezcaray (13.3 km at 5.2%, ^9th stage) and then especially at Angliru (12.4 km at 9.8%, ^13th stage), La Farrapona (16.8 km at 6%, ^14th stage), Alto de El Morredero (8.8 km at 9.5%, ^17th stage), or Bola del Mundo (12.4 km at 8.6%, ^20th stage).

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Two fairly flat time trials are also planned, the first to be contested by teams around Figueres ( ^5th stage), the second individually around Valladolid ( ^18th stage). These should allow the best riders to make a difference. The sprinters should have few opportunities to shine. Except for those who also possess punching skills.

Him and the others? Second in the Tour de France behind the unbeatable Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates - XRG), Jonas Vingegaard (Visma | Lease a bike) takes the start of this Tour of Spain with the firm intention of adding a third Grand Tour to his list of achievements, after his two final victories in the Grande Boucle (2022 and 2023). The Dane is obviously the overwhelming favorite for the event. But he will have to be wary of the duo João Almeida-Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates - XRG) who hope to take advantage of their numerical superiority (if it exists, of course). Other riders will also be worth watching, such as Felix Gall (Décathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team), Mikel Landa (Soudal Quick-Step), Egan Bernal (INEOS Grenadiers), the Italians from Bahrain-Victorious Damiano Caruso and Antonio Tiberi, Giulio Ciccone (Lidl - Trek), the ex-winner of the Giro Jai Hindley (Red Bull - Bora - hansgrohe) and his teammate Giulio Pellizzari or Ben O'Connor (Team Jayco AlUla).

David Gaudu (Groupama - FDJ) will be the only, or almost the only, French entry in the general classification. The Breton climber, who had chosen to skip the Tour de France due to his poor form to focus on the Tour of Spain, can aim for a place in the top five... if he returns to last year's level (sixth in the general classification). He will be able to count on his co-leader/teammate Guillaume Martin to achieve his goals. Behind the two Groupama - FDJ riders, we will be keeping a close eye on Valentin Paret-Peintre . The Soudal Quick-Step pocket climber, winner at the summit of Mont Ventoux in the Grande Boucle, will be keen to confirm his strength on the Spanish roads (as well as those in Italy and France). Despite the presence of Mikel Landa in his team, he should have a few opportunities to shine.

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As for the sprints, Bryan Coquard (Cofidis) will be the only French chance. Unless Axel Zingle (Visma | Lease a bike) is allowed to play his cards right on the difficult finishes. The young Léo Bisiaux (Décathlon AG2R La Mondiale), who has just won a stage of the Tour of Burgos, could also shine when the road climbs.

It's hard to spot any potential surprises on such a tough course. But we'll be keeping a close eye on the performances of Junior Lecerf (Soudal Quick Step). The Belgian, whose main task will be to help Mikel Landa in the general classification, could well be among the best climbers in this Tour of Spain. His overall victory in the Czech Tour proves that he's in good shape. Victor Langellotti (INEOS Grenadiers), who has just won a stage in the Tour of Poland, has the qualities, and the condition, to become the first Monegasque to win a stage in a Grand Tour. Frenchman Léo Bisiaux , who is about to discover three-week races, could well stand out when the slopes rise. His recent Tour of Burgos (a stage victory, ^3rd in the general classification) suggests great things to come. We will also be watching closely the debut of the young and promising Markel Beloki (EF Education - EasyPost), son of the legendary Joseba, who has just won the Tour d'Alsace.