Vuelta 2026: Monaco Makes Cycling History by Joining the Grand Tours

Monaco has made history in international cycling. With the start of the 2026 Vuelta a España, the Principality has become the first place in the world to have hosted the start of all three Grand Tours: the Giro d’Italia, the Tour de France and the Vuelta.

This record was built over six decades. The Giro d’Italia started in Monaco on 18 May 1966, as part of the centenary celebrations of Monte-Carlo. The Tour de France then chose the Principality for its Grand Départ on 4 July 2009. On 22 August 2026, it was the Vuelta’s turn, completing a unique trilogy in cycling history.

Pogačar wins the opening time trial

The 2026 Vuelta began on Saturday 22 August with a 9.4-kilometre individual time trial from Monaco to Monaco, held entirely within the Principality. The starting ramp was located at Place du Casino, one of Monte-Carlo’s most iconic landmarks.

Tadej Pogačar took the victory. The Slovenian champion completed the course in 10 minutes and 57 seconds, beating Ethan Hayter by just 0.09 seconds. Josh Tarling finished third in 11 minutes and 1 second. With the victory, Pogačar also claimed the first red leader’s jersey of the 2026 Vuelta.

The route turned Monaco’s streets into an international cycling stage for the evening, passing some of the Principality’s most recognisable landmarks and including sections associated with the famous Formula 1 street circuit.

From Monaco to Manosque for Stage 2

The Monegasque Grand Départ continued on Sunday 23 August with the second stage, from Monaco to Manosque. The official distance of the stage was 214.3 kilometres.

Victory went to British rider Matthew Brennan of Team Visma | Lease a Bike, who won the sprint ahead of Pau Miquel and Tadej Pogačar. The Slovenian retained the red jersey at the end of the day, with a nine-second lead over Wout van Aert.

Monaco, from the 1966 Giro to the 2026 Vuelta

The significance of the 2026 edition goes beyond the sporting result. The Vuelta start enabled Monaco to achieve a record that no other location had previously accomplished.

On 18 May 1966, the Principality hosted the start of the 49th Giro d’Italia. The opening stage took the riders from Monaco to Diano Marina. Forty-three years later, on 4 July 2009, Monaco hosted the opening time trial of the Tour de France, won by Swiss rider Fabian Cancellara.

With the time trial on 22 August 2026, Monaco completed the trilogy of Grand Départs for the Giro, Tour and Vuelta.

Sport as an international showcase for Monaco

The Vuelta is part of a long-standing tradition in which Monaco uses sport as one of the main tools of its international profile. Formula 1, tennis, athletics, football, basketball, yachting and major sporting events bring athletes, spectators and media from around the world to the Principality every year.

The Vuelta Grand Départ now adds a new chapter to this story. For two days, images of Monaco’s streets were broadcast as part of one of the world’s most important cycling competitions, providing an international showcase for the Principality, its landscapes and its iconic landmarks.

Photo: Direction de la Communication – Manuel Vitali