Vuelta a España: Stage 1 preview
Stage details and expert guide
Pamplona – Pamplona
Distance: 16.2km
Highest point: 460m
Category: Team time trial
Short but technical
At just 16km, the organisers hope this won’t produce big gaps between the best teams. Starting in the Plaza del Castillo, the course does a circuit of Pamplona before finishing in the city’s bullring. Indeed, the final sections follow the route of bull running that takes place here in July. These final few kilometres through Pamplona’s central streets provide a very technical conclusion to this test. It’s here that the most tightly-drilled teams should be able to make their togetherness count but there should be little more than a minute between the winners and the team bringing up the rear.
Abraham Olano: "I don’t think the time gaps will be significant but it’s a spectacular way to start the race. The first half of the course is quick but the second half is much more technical on the narrow roads made famous by the San Fermín festival."
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Latest on Cyclingnews
-
US Cyclocross Nationals: Dominant Henry Coote solos to second consecutive U23 men’s title
Jack Spranger takes second and Ryan Drummond third in Fayetteville -
US Cyclocross Nationals: Makena Kellerman holds off Kaya Musgrave to win U23 women’s title
Pan-American U23 women's champion Mia Aseltine is third in Fayetteville, Arkansas -
US Cyclocross Nationals: Kira Mullins powers away on final lap to win women junior 17-18 title
Tessa Beebe takes second place, and Ada Watson is third in Fayetteville, Arkansas -
Tadej Pogačar eyes Paris-Roubaix victory and historic fifth Tour de France title as focal points of confirmed 2026 racing programme
World Champion chasing a fifth yellow jersey to equal the sport's greats alongside Miguel Induráin, Bernard Hinault, Eddy Merckx, and Jacques Anquetil




