Barcelona to host Vuelta a Espana start for first time since 1962 with Montjuic climb on second stage in 2023

Published 20/12/2022 at 14:35 GMT

The 2023 Vuelta a Espana will get under way in Barcelona. The city has not hosted the opening stage of the Grand Tour in 60 years. Remco Evenepoel (Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl) will be the defending champion at the race, which starts on August 26. The opening stage will be a team time trial and will be followed by a stage which features the iconic Montjuic climb.

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The Vuelta a Espana will start in Barcelona for the first time since 1962 next year.

The opening stage of the Grand Tour, which is a 14km team time trial, will leave from the city’s Olympic port and will go through the streets of Barcelona.

The second stage will start just outside Barcelona in Mataro and will finish at the Olympic Stadium after an ascent of the iconic Montjuic climb.

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Remco Evenepoel (Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl) will be the defending champion at La Vuelta.

“Barcelona is a city that loves sports, particularly cycling,” said Barcelona deputy mayor Jaume Collboni.

“To have La Vuelta return to Barcelona after 60 years is wonderful news, not only because it gives us the chance to experience an important sporting event, but because it proves to us, once again, what a driving force sports truly is to our city’s economy.

“La Vuelta '23 will be an opportunity for us to showcase our city’s cultural, social and artistic wealth. We want people to leave their homes and come and join us in this cycling celebration, and to participate in the passion and spirit of this great sporting event.”

The three-week race starts on August 26.

The official route presentation will be made in Barcelona on January 10.

The first Grand Tour of 2023 is the Giro d’Italia, which starts on May 6, and is followed by the Tour de France from July 1.

The 2023 Tour de France will also start in Spain with the first stage in Bilbao.

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