Vuelta a Espana 2026: The Preview

The 2026 Vuelta a España rolls out from Monte Carlo at the weekend, and we’ll be on the ground for the eleventh straight year to bring you all of the action, starting with our race preview. 

Before Daniel Friebe and Larry Warbasse assess the route and riders, we reflect on the devastating passing of Finlay Tarling in last week’s Volta a Portugal. Harrison Wood was also racing in the Volta. He gives us the rider’s perspective of what occurred. 

For our look ahead to the Vuelta, Larry honestly answers the question of whether he or any of the other riders in the field can realistically hope to beat Tadej Pogačar (clue: it’s a fairly resounding ‘no’). Having established that, we look closely at a decidedly spicy route and what opportunities it may offer riders not targeting the GC.

In Loving Memory of Finlay Tarling
Following the tragic death of Finlay Tarling in stage 8 of the Volta a Portugal, a fund has been set up, with the blessing of his parents and in Finlay’s name, with the goal of providing an opportunity to help future generations of young Welsh riders. You can contribute here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/for-fin-s2u87 

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The Cycling Podcast was founded in 2013 by Richard Moore, Daniel Friebe and Lionel Birnie.