All stages of the Vuelta a España 2018 - Tour for climbers: The Vuelta route 2018

The 73rd edition of the Tour of Spain kicks off on 25 August in Malaga with an eight-kilometre individual time trial. The route then leads through Andalusia and northern Spain until the usual Vuelta finale in the capital Madrid on 16 September 2018.

All the information about the prominent starter field.

Just like last year, the top sprinters will probably give the Vuelta a wide berth - the 21 stages are too difficult. The total distance is 3,271.4 kilometres, including 40.7 kilometres of time trials. The longest stage against the clock takes place after the second rest day: There are 32.7 mostly flat kilometres to complete on the 16th stage to Torrelavega.

During the three weeks, nine mountain finishes are on the programme, the first on the 2nd stage to Caminito del Rey, the last on the 19th stage with the finish in Andorra. Three final climbs have not yet been tackled by the Vuelta: The finale of stage 4 to the Sierra de la Alfaguara, the climb to Les Praeres (stage 14), which is up to 23 per cent steep, and Monte Oiz with the finish on the Balcón de Bizkaia (stage 17).

All stages of the Vuelta a España 2018

Saturday, 25 August 2018Málaga - Málaga (EZF)8kmSunday, 26 August 2018Marbella - Caminito del Rey (BA)163.9kmMonday, 27 August 2018Mijas - Alhaurín de la Torre182.5kmTuesday, 28 August 2018Vélez-Málaga - Alfacar. Sierra de la Alfaguara (BA)162kmWednesday, 29 August 2018Granada - Roquetas de Mar 188kmThursday, 30 August 2018Huércal-Overa - San Javier 153kmFriday, 31 August 2018Puerto Lumbreras - Pozo Alcón182kmSaturday, 1 September 2018Linares - Almadén195.5kmSunday, 2 September 2018Talavera de la Reina - La Covatilla (BA)195kmMonday, 3 September 2018Rest day -Tuesday, 4 September 2018Salamanca - Fermoselle172.5kmWednesday, 5 September 2018Provincia de Zamora - Ribeira Sacra. Luintra 208.8kmThursday, 6 September 2018Mondoñedo - Faro de Estaca de Bares. Mañón 177.5kmFriday, 7 September 2018Candás - Valle de Sabero. La Camperona (BA) 175.5kmSaturday, 8 September 2018Cistierna - Lagos de Covadonga (BA) 185.5kmSunday, 9 September 2018Canga Onís - Les Praeres (BA)167kmMonday, 10 September 2018Rest day -Tuesday, 11 September 2018Santillana del Mar - Torrelavega (EZF)32.7kmWednesday, 12 September 2018Getxo - Balcón de Bizkaia (BA)166.4kmThursday, 13 September 2018Ejea de los Caballeros - Lleida180.5kmFriday, 14 September 2018Lleida - Andorra. Naturlandia (BA)157kmSaturday, 15 September 2018Andorra. Escaldes-Engordany - Andorra. Collada de La Gallina. Santuario de Canolich (BA)105.8kmSunday, 16 September 2018 Madrid 112.3km

EZF=single time trial, BA=mountain finish