The 81st edition of the race will thus have an international Grand Departure, continuing the tradition set by previous starts in Portugal, the Netherlands, and France.
The race’s inaugural stage will take place entirely within Monaco’s territory, which will also host the start of La Vuelta 2026’s second stage. This marks another international Grand Departure for La Vuelta, following those held in Lisbon (1997), Assen (2009), Nîmes (2017), and Utrecht (2022). In 2024, the race will include stages in Lisbon, Oeiras, and Cascais.
Monaco’s selection for the Grand Departure in 2026 adds to its history of hosting major sporting events. In cycling, Monaco organized the Grand Départ of the Tour de France in 2009 and will play a key role again by hosting the final time-trial between Monaco and Nice during the last stage of the Tour de France 2024.
Monaco is renowned for hosting significant international events, including the Festival Internacional du Cirque de Monte-Carlo and the Monaco Formula One Grand Prix, one of the world’s premier sporting events that attracts global superstars from sports and celebrity circles.
