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Spain 04 Feb – 08 Feb 2026 Class 2.Pro – Stages – UCI ProSeries
Website www.vueltacv.com
Data powered by FirstCycling.com
The 2026 Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana (February 4–8) marks the 77th edition of this historic Spanish stage race. As the first major multi-day event on the European calendar this year, it has drawn a high-caliber field, headlined by Remco Evenepoel.
Today, Wednesday, February 4, the race officially kicks off.
2026 Route and Stages
The 2026 edition covers approximately 604 km across five stages. This year is particularly notable for the return of the Individual Time Trial (ITT), which is expected to be a decisive factor for the General Classification (GC).
| Stage | Date | Route | Distance | Type |
| 1 | Feb 4 | Segorbe → Torreblanca | 160 km | Hilly / Sprint Finish |
| 2 | Feb 5 | Carlet → Alginet | 17.5 km | Individual Time Trial |
| 3 | Feb 6 | Orihuela → San Vicente del Raspeig | 158 km | Flat / Transition |
| 4 | Feb 7 | La Nucía → Teulada Moraira | 172 km | Queen Stage (3,300m climb) |
| 5 | Feb 8 | Bétera → Valencia | 95 km | Flat / Grand Finale |
Key Contenders
The 2026 lineup is exceptionally strong, featuring several stars using the race to build form for the Classics and Grand Tours:
- Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe): The heavy favorite, especially given the Stage 2 time trial.
- João Almeida (UAE Team Emirates): The primary challenger to Evenepoel, known for his consistency in short stage races.
- Cian Uijtdebroeks (Team Visma | Lease a Bike): A wildcard for the Queen Stage (Stage 4).
- Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek): The top favorite for the sprint finishes in Stages 1 and 5.
- Mats Wenzel (Equipo Kern Pharma): Making one of his early appearances for his new Spanish team.
Historical Context
Originally founded in 1929, the race was dormant for several years before being revived in 2016. Since its return, it has become a “must-attend” early-season race for champions.
- Defending Champion: Santiago Buitrago (2025).
- Most Wins: Alejandro Valverde (3 titles).
- Notable Past Winners: Tadej Pogačar (2020), Nairo Quintana (2017), and Stefan Küng (2021).
Note: Stage 1 is currently underway or just concluding. Early predictions favor a sprint battle between Mads Pedersen and Biniam Girmay in Torreblanca.
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
The Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana (also known as the Tour of Valencia) is one of the oldest and most prestigious stage races in Spain. Its history is a mix of early-century pioneer spirit, several periods of disappearance due to financial struggles, and a triumphant modern-day revival.
1. Origins and the “Vuelta a Levante” (1929–1978)
The race was first held in 1929 under the name Vuelta a Levante. At the time, it joined the Volta a Catalunya (1911) and the Tour of the Basque Country (1924) as one of the few multi-day races in Spain.
- The First Winner: Salvador Cardona (Spain) won the inaugural four-stage edition.
- Early Dominance: In the 1930s and 40s, Spanish legends like Mariano Cañardo and Federico Ezquerra dominated the race.
- Naming Evolution: Over the decades, the race changed names several times, including the Vuelta a la Región de Valencia (1979) and the Vuelta a las Tres Provincias (1980–1983).
2. The Golden Era and Sudden Decline (1984–2008)
In the 1980s and 90s, the race became a staple of the professional calendar. It served as a key early-season indicator of form for Grand Tour contenders.
- International Stars: The race began attracting global icons. Alex Zülle (Switzerland) won twice in the 90s, while Melchor Mauri became a local hero with two titles.
- The Valverde Era: Alejandro Valverde holds the record for the most overall victories, with three titles (2004, 2007, and 2018).
- The Hiatus: Following the 2008 edition, the global financial crisis hit Spanish cycling hard. The race was cancelled for eight consecutive years (2009–2015) due to a lack of funding and sponsorship.
3. The Modern Revival (2016–Present)
In 2016, former professional cyclist and 2002 Vuelta a España winner Ángel Casero successfully led a project to bring the race back to life.
- Successful Return: The race quickly regained its status. Its first edition back was won by Wout Poels of Team Sky.
- UCI Status: In 2020, the race was promoted to the UCI ProSeries, cementing its place as the first major European stage race of the year.
- Diverse Winners: Recent winners reflect the global nature of the sport, including Tadej Pogačar (2020), Rui Costa (2023), and Santiago Buitrago (2025).
Historical Records
| Category | Record Holder | Details |
| Most General Wins | Alejandro Valverde | 3 Titles (2004, 2007, 2018) |
| Most Stage Wins | Alessandro Petacchi | 11 Wins (The sprint king of the early 2000s) |
| Nation with Most Wins | Spain | 47 overall victories |
| First Foreign Winner | Rik Van Looy (Belgium) | 1958 |
Current Status (2026)
As of February 4, 2026, the 77th edition is officially underway. This year is particularly special because it features the return of a long-distance Individual Time Trial, a feature often absent in recent hilly editions.
