The Vuelta España - History and trajectory

The Vuelta a España is one of the most prestigious and exciting cycling races in the world. This annual event attracts elite cyclists from around the world and captivates millions of cycling fans around the planet. In this article, we will explore in depth the history, curiosities and excitement surrounding the Vuelta a España.

History of the Tour of Spain

The history of the Vuelta a España is a fascinating chronicle of how a cycling event has become one of the pillars of international cycling. This emblematic race, also known as "La Vuelta", has its roots in the 1930s, when the Spanish newspaper "Informaciones" was looking for a way to promote itself. The first edition was held in 1935, but due to political turbulence and the Spanish Civil War, the Vuelta was temporarily suspended, resuming in 1941.

Over the decades, the Vuelta a España has undergone an impressive evolution. Since its inception, it has been a stage for fierce competition between cyclists from around the world and has led to iconic moments. Big names like Bahamontes , Anquetil, Merckx, Induráin and Contador have left an indelible mark on the history of the Vuelta, establishing it as one of the most prestigious events in cycling.

The race has faced challenges, changes in the course and transformations in its rules over the years, but it has always maintained its spirit of competitiveness and passion for cycling. The Vuelta a España has also been a pioneer in the introduction of new elements in the Grand Tours, such as team time trial stages.

The First Editions

The first editions of the Vuelta a España mark the first steps of this iconic cycling race. Although the idea of organizing a cycling tour of Spain had been discussed for years, it finally became a reality in 1935. The first edition of the Vuelta a España was an exciting event, but its early history was marked by interruptions due to difficult political circumstances. and social events of the time, including the Spanish Civil War and World War II.

The Vuelta a España was held irregularly in its early years, and in some editions, the race was temporarily suspended. However, despite the challenges, the Vuelta a España managed to establish itself as an annual cycling event starting in the 1950s. Since then, it has grown in popularity and prestige, attracting elite cyclists from around the world and becoming one of the Grand Tours of cycling along with the Tour de France and the Giro d'Italia .

Growth and Popularity

Over the years, the Vuelta a España has grown in popularity and prestige. It has attracted some of the most notable cyclists in history, including Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, Miguel Induráin, Alberto Contador and Chris Froome, among others. These legendary cyclists have left an indelible mark on the history of the race.

The Red Jersey and Other Distinctives

The Red Jersey and Other Badges are an integral part of the Vuelta a España and add excitement and competitiveness to the race.

The Red Jersey , also known as "La Roja ," is the most coveted badge and is awarded to the leader of the general classification. Wearing the Red Jersey symbolizes being the most outstanding cyclist in the race and is an honor reserved for the strongest and most consistent in the stages. This jersey has become an iconic symbol of the Vuelta a España and represents the fight for final victory.

The Green Jersey rewards the best sprinter in the competition. This award highlights the speed and ability of riders to compete on flat stages and win intermediate sprints. Riders seeking the Green Jersey are known for their explosiveness and aggressiveness in the peloton. The White Jersey with Red Polka Dots is awarded to the king of the mountain, recognizing the cyclist who has accumulated the most points in categorized climbs. These mountain stages are some of the most challenging and exciting of the Vuelta a España, and the White Jersey with Red Polka Dots rewards the most outstanding climbers.

Finally, the White Jersey goes to the best young cyclist in the race. This award promotes young cycling promises and highlights the talented cyclists under 25 years of age who compete in the Vuelta a España.

Curiosities and Interesting Facts

The Vuelta a España is full of interesting facts and curiosities that make the race even more exciting:

1. Varied Route
The route of the Vuelta a España changes every year and usually includes a mix of mountain, time trial and flat stages. This ensures that riders face a variety of challenges each edition.

2. The Multicolored Serpent
The Vuelta a España is known for its multicolored team parade, as each team usually wears a distinctive uniform that reflects the colors of its sponsors. This variety of colors makes the race visually impressive.

3. The Upload to Angliru
One of the most feared and exciting stages of the Vuelta a España is the climb to Angliru. This steep Asturian mountain has seen some of the most epic battles in the history of the race and is a challenge for any cyclist.

4. The Time Climb to Peña Cabarga
Another iconic moment of the Vuelta is the time trial climb to Peña Cabarga. This up-and-coming time trial has been the scene of exciting duels between top riders and often has a big impact on the overall standings.

5. The Women's Tour
Although the men's Vuelta a España is the best known, there is also a women's version of the race, known as the Women's Vuelta a España. This race has gained relevance in recent years and has contributed to the growth of women's cycling.

The Vuelta a España is much more than a sporting competition. It is a celebration of the passion for cycling and an opportunity for fans to gather along the roads of Spain to cheer on their two-wheeled heroes. The excitement of watching cyclists take on the most challenging mountain passes, the tension of time trials and the uncertainty of who will don the red jersey in Madrid make the Vuelta a España an unmissable sporting event.