Click on the flag to change language. The automatic translation of this website is done by “Gtranslate” and may contain translation errors. The English text is authoritative.
Spain 13 Feb – 14 Feb 2026 Class 2.1 – Stages – Class 1
Website www.vueltamurcia.es
Data powered by FirstCycling.com
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
The Vuelta a la Región de Murcia “Costa Cálida” is one of Spain’s most storied early-season races. While the Tour de la Provence is a relative newcomer, the Vuelta a Murcia has a deep history dating back to the early 1980s, evolving from an amateur event into a high-stakes professional showdown.
1. The Amateur Roots (1981–1984)
The race was founded in 1981 as an amateur competition. Even in its infancy, it attracted future legends; the inaugural winner was none other than Pedro Delgado, who would go on to win the Tour de France and two Vueltas a España.
2. The Golden Era of Stage Racing (1985–2012)
For most of its life, the Vuelta a Murcia was a multi-day stage race, usually held over five or six days in March. During this period, it became a prestigious title for the world’s best “all-rounders.”
- The Induráin Years: In 1986, a young Miguel Induráin took the overall victory, signaling the start of his rise to dominance.
- International Prestige: The 1990s and 2000s saw a “who’s who” of cycling win in Murcia, including Marco Pantani (1999) and Denis Menchov (2009).
- The Cima Marco Pantani: Since 2004, the race’s highest point—the Collado Bermejo—has been named in honor of Marco Pantani, the 1999 winner. It remains the iconic climb of the region.
3. Economic Crisis & One-Day Format (2013–2025)
Following the global financial crisis and local budget cuts, the race faced extinction. To survive, the organizers made the difficult decision in 2013 to transition from a stage race to a one-day classic (UCI 1.1).
- The King of Murcia: This era belonged to local hero Alejandro Valverde. Born in Las Lumbreras (Murcia), “El Imbatido” holds the record with 5 overall victories (2004, 2007, 2008, 2014, and 2017).
- Tactical Shifts: As a one-day race, it became a strategic battle between puncheurs and breakaway specialists.
4. The 2026 Evolution
In a major development for the current season, the 2026 edition has returned to a stage-race format. Instead of a single day of racing, it is now a two-day event (February 13–14), providing more room for tactical drama.
Record Holders & Legends
| Category | Record Holder | Achievement |
| Most Victories | Alejandro Valverde | 5 wins |
| Most Stage Wins | Johnny Dauwe | 6 wins |
| Legendary Winners | Miguel Induráin, Pedro Delgado, Marco Pantani | 1 win each |
| Recent Winners | Ben O’Connor (2024), Fabio Christen (2025) | — |
Key Historical Landmark: Collado Bermejo
No history of the Vuelta a Murcia is complete without the Sierra Espuña. The ascent of the Collado Bermejo often defines the race. Even when the race was reduced to a single day, the organizers almost always included this 1,201-meter peak to ensure the winner was a true “king of the mountains.”
