Henry Shepherd
The Vuelta a España, often referred to as the “Tour of Spain,” is the final grand tour of the season and gets underway in Barcelona on Saturday.
It presents an opportunity for cyclists to make up for missed opportunities in Italy and France and win this notable Tour. The prestige of winning this race holds great significance, and the current year’s edition has drawn an impressive assembly of the finest grand tour riders in the sport.
Each of these riders is highly motivated to add to their list of accomplishments by clinching victory in the esteemed Spanish grand tour.
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MyTopSportsbooks will take a closer look at some of the top contenders and provide our prediction for the race outcome.
| Vuelta a España - Outrights |  |  |  |
| Jonas Vingegaard | +120 | +143 | TBA |
| Primoz Roglic | +300 | +290 | TBA |
| Remco Evenepoel | +400 | +480 | TBA |
| Juan Ayuso | +600 | +930 | TBA |
| Geraint Thomas | +1400 | +2600 | TBA |
| Enric Mas Nicolau | +1800 | +2100 | TBA |
| Joao Almeida | +2500 | +4100 | TBA |
Jonas Vingegaard (+143)
Following his triumphant victory in the previous year’s Tour de France, Jonas Vingegaard from Denmark opted for an extensive break. This prompted speculation about his participation for the remainder of the year.
However, after successfully defending his Tour de France championship this July, the Danish cyclist swiftly declared his intent to compete in the Vuelta. His goal? Sustaining his team’s winning streak in grand tours.
Should he have sufficiently recuperated from his exertions in winning the Tour de France, Vingegaard is poised to emerge as a formidable contender, particularly in the demanding mountainous terrain of the Vuelta.
Yet, if his condition isn’t optimal for a shot at victory, he could transition into an exceptional super domestique role, thereby supporting Primoz Roglič’s endeavor to clinch a remarkable fourth victory in the race.
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Primož Roglič (+300)
After securing a streak of three consecutive wins, Primož Roglič of Slovenia encountered misfortune in last year’s Vuelta. A crash during Stage 16 led to his withdrawal from the race, holding the second overall position at the time.
He rebounded remarkably, claiming a sensational victory at the Giro d’Italia in May. This triumph included a mountain time trial win on the Giro’s penultimate stage, marking his inaugural victory in the esteemed Italian grand tour.
Arriving in Spain with a determined spirit, Roglič aspires to capture his fourth Vuelta victory within a five-year span. His ambition extends further as he aims to guide Jumbo-Visma towards an unprecedented achievement—becoming the first team in history to conquer all three grand tours in a single season.
Demonstrating his readiness through a decisive victory in the recent Vuelta a Burgos, Roglič has benefited from ample recovery time since the Giro. At the forefront of the best and most robust team in the race, he shares leadership with Denmark’s Jonas Vingegaard, who looms as a potential formidable contender and challenger to Roglič’s aspirations.
Remco Evenepoel (+480)
At the young age of 22, Belgium’s Remco Evenepoel accomplished a remarkable feat by ending his nation’s 44-year wait for grand tour victory with a win in last year’s Vuelta. Setting his ambitions higher, he turned his focus to May’s Giro d’Italia.
His start in the Giro appeared promising, securing two stage wins and donning the pink jersey as the overall leader at the close of Stage 9. However, his journey took an unforeseen turn when he tested positive for COVID-19 that same evening. This forced him to withdraw from the race.
Following a hiatus from racing, Evenepoel demonstrated his resilience by clinching a third-place finish at the Tour de Suisse in June, securing victory in the Clasica San Sebastian in July, and winning the gold medal at the recent world time trial championships.
Now, as he sets his sights on the Vuelta, he faces the formidable task of defending his title against an elite field of competitors from across the globe. This upcoming challenge serves as an exceptional opportunity to evaluate the caliber of the Belgian rider and his team, promising an exciting spectacle for cycling enthusiasts.
Juan Ayuso (+930)
Since Alberto Contador’s victory in 2014, a Spaniard hasn’t claimed the Vuelta title. A long wait for a nation that has historically excelled in their own national tour.
The anticipation was palpable last year when 19 year old Juan Ayuso secured an impressive third-place overall finish. This accomplishment established him as the second-youngest grand tour podium finisher the 1904 Tour de France.
Ayuso’s 2023 season had a delayed start due to a persistent injury. However, upon his return, he exhibited a seamless transition. He captured a stage victory at May’s Tour de Romandie. Then further established his prowess by clinching two stages and securing a second-place overall finish at June’s Tour de Suisse.
Of particular note, two out of his three stage wins were achieved in individual time trials, showcasing his potential as a grand tour contender. Evidently versatile, Ayuso has the aptitude to ascend to the upper echelons of the sport’s grand tour contenders. The Vuelta, featuring a constellation of star-studded participants, presents an ideal platform to assess and test the full spectrum of his capabilities.
Prediction
Primož Roglič (+300)
