Why are there rest days at the Vuelta a Espana?
A rest day at the Vuelta a Espana is a day on which no stage takes place. It is used by the riders to recover. Rest days are important because the participants in the 2023 Tour of Spain are exposed to massive physical strain every day. During the rest day, the riders can recharge their batteries and top up their energy stores. It also provides time to treat injuries. What's more, the mechanics get their bikes and equipment up to scratch. However, there is usually something going on - the bikes generally don't stand still. Most riders get on their racing bikes and go for a short ride to keep their circulation going and prepare for the next stage.
The rest days not only have a physical recovery component, they are also important for mental well-being. The riders have time to prepare for the remaining stages and relax. Rest days are also relevant for the teams' strategy, as the teams can review the previous race, adapt their tactics and make new plans.
When are the rest days at the 2023 Vuelta a Espana?
This year there are two rest days at the Vuelta a Espana: on 4 September and on 11 September. The first day of the Tour of Spain was spent in Valladolid in the Castilla y León region, where the race continued with an individual time trial. The second rest day is the Vuelta a Espana 2023 in Santander in the Cantabria region.
How many rest days are there at Grand Tours?
The three major national tours - also known as Grand Tours - the Giro d'Italia, Tour de France and Vuelta a Espana, normally have two rest days. However, there are also exceptions with three. For example, in 2022, when all three Grand Tours had to have an additional rest day in order to move the bunch to Italy, France and Spain. In 2022, the Giro d'Italia started in Hungary, the Tour de France in Denmark and the Tour of Spain in the Netherlands.
Where do rest days take place?
The rest days of large tours are usually organised in a larger town with the appropriate infrastructure and therefore also offer the supervisors and mechanics the opportunity to go shopping for their daily needs or visit other shops.
However, the rest day is not only important for the participants and organisers, but also for the villages and towns where the Vuelta a Espana stops. Here, the villages and towns have the opportunity to present themselves and boost tourism. The rest day also gives fans and tourists a welcome break to recover from the stages and look ahead to the rest of the tour.
