Vuelta a Espana 2023: Contenders, Odds, Dates, Route and TV Channel

The third and final Grand Tour of the year, Vuelta a Espana, gets underway this weekend complete with a star-studded cast.

Two-time Tour de France champion Jonas Vingegaard is involved alongside his teammate and three-time Vuelta winner Primoz Roglic, 2022 victor Remco Evenepoel returns to the Spanish slopes bidding to defend his Red Jersey, while Giro d'Italia runner-up also features.

Within this article, you'll find information on when and where the 2023 edition of the race is, the route, how you can watch it, plus the key contenders and their odds for glory.

When is the Vuelta a Espana 2023?

The Vuelta a Espana will begin with a team time trial in Barcelona (Spain) on Saturday 26th August and end in Madrid on Sunday 17th September.

What TV Channel is the Vuelta a Espana on?

Within the UK, the Vuelta a Espana will be broadcast on Eurosport as well as the subscription site GCN+.

The highlights show will reportedly not be shown on ITV4 this year.

What is the Vuelta a Espana 2023 route?

The Vuelta a Espana is locked in at 3153.8 kilometers and will consist of 21 stages: seven mountain stages, six hilly stages, four flat stages, two flat stages with high-altitude finales, two rest days, plus one team time trial and one individual time trial.

Who is the favourite to win Vuelta a Espana 2023?

A strong field will jet over seeking success in Spain.

Jumbo-Visma will be bidding to secure a Grand Tour hat-trick with Jonas Vingegaard (Tour de France) and Primoz Roglic (Giro d'Italia) both lining up at the Vuelta as joint-leaders.

Roglic is well rested following his dramatic Giro win over Geraint Thomas as he targets a record-equalling fourth win at the Vuelta following his three victories between 2019 and 2021.

He'll be joined by teammate Vingegaard who, after his successful defence of the Yellow Jersey, confirmed he will take part in his second Vuelta and first since 2020.

Bookmakers have installed Vingegard as the 5/4 frontrunner to add the Vuelta to his collection, while Roglic can be backed at 11/4 to claim that record-equalling fourth Vuelta.

The high-profile pair will be challenged by last year's winner Remco Evenepoel, 4/1, who was leading the Giro back in May before he was forced to withdraw due to Covid. The Belgian has since gone on to win the time trial world title at the World Championships earlier this month.

Next in the running is Spaniard Juan Ayuso (15/2) of team UAE, who finished 3rd last year, followed by compatriot Enric Mas (20/1) - a three-time runner-up here - British icon Geraint Thomas (22/1), and Joao Almeida (33/1), in what promises to be a compelling three weeks.

Former Vuelta a Espana Winners

Roberto Heras holds the record with a whopping four Vuelta a Espana wins, a record that three-time winner Primoz Roglic can equal in 2023.

Tony Rominger and Alberto Contador also have three wins to their name.