Vuelta a España opens with Monaco time trial this Saturday
By Zak Jackson, MonacoViews Editorial
The 2026 Vuelta a España gets under way in Monaco on Saturday 22 August with a 9.4 km individual time trial through the Principality.
The Tour of Spain rolls out of Monaco on Saturday 22 August, with a 9.4 km individual time trial forming the race's opening stage. Riders will set off one by one through the streets of the Principality, making this one of the most visible and accessible Grand Tour starts Monaco has hosted in recent years.
Residents and visitors with a view along the route will be able to watch the peloton's elite riders pass at close quarters. Expect road closures and disruption to normal traffic patterns across central Monaco for much of Saturday, so allow extra time if moving around the Principality by car.
The race continues on Sunday with Stage 2, a 214 km leg that departs the Côte d'Azur and heads through the Alpes-Maritimes and the Var before finishing in Manosque. Sunday's stage is largely outside Monaco itself, but those heading into France along the route should check local road closure schedules before travelling.