Belgian Wout van Aert is the new leader of this 2024 Tour of Spain.
The opening time trial in the streets of Lisbon gave the first red leader’s jersey to American Brandon McNulty. But with Wout van Aert just 3 seconds behind, that leader’s jersey was clearly in danger with the few opportunities for sprinters to shine on stages 2 and 3. Despite the disappointment of finishing second, beaten by Groves on stage 2, the Belgian is happy with the red leader’s jersey. Of course, I really wanted to win the stage, but the red jersey compensates for this disappointment”said Van Aert on arrival. “I knew Groves would be a great competitor for this sprint. Edoardo Affini positioned me very well, but it was difficult to know when to launch. In hindsight, Groves was faster than me. It was a deserved victory for him.
With a 191.2 kilometre route between Lousa and Castelo Branco, the peloton of the Tour of Spain leaves Portugal, where it will have spent three days, and gains a little altitude, even if the finish should once again smile on the sprinters on this 3rd stage.
The ranking
The committed
Vuelta route
Stage 1: Lisbon – Oeiras – 12km
Stage 2: Cascais – Ourém – 191 km
Stage 3: Lousa – Castelo Branco – 191 km
Stage 4: Plasencia – Pico Viluercas – 167 km
Stage 5: Fuente del Maestre – Seville – 170 km
Stage 6: Crossroads at Jerez de la Frontera – Yunquera – 181 km
Stage 7: Archidona – Cordoba – 179 km
Stage 8: Ubeda – Cazorla – 159 km
Stage 9: Motril – Granada – 178 km
Stage 10: Ponteareas – Baoina – 160 km
Stage 11: Campus Tecnologico Cortizo – Campus Tecnologico Cortizo – 164 km
Stage 12: Ourense Termal – Estacion de Montana de Manzaneda – 133 km
Stage 13: Lugo – Puerto de Ancares – 171 km
Stage 14: Vilafranca del Bierzo – Villablino – 199 km
Stage 15: Infiesto – Valgrande Pajares / Cuito Negru – 142 km
Stage 16: Luanco – Lagos de Covadonga – 181 km
Stage 17: Monumento Juan Del Castillo – Santander – 143 km
Stage 18: Vitoria Gasteiz – Maetzu – Parque Natural de Izki – 175 km
Stage 19: Logrono – Alto de Moncalvillo – 168 km
Stage 20: Villarcayo – Picon Blanco – 171 km
Stage 21: Distrito Telefonica – Madrid – 22km