The 2025 Vuelta a España is poised to make history with its first-ever start in Italy, a move that could unfold in captivating style with an initial bunch sprint stage followed by a challenging uphill finish on stage 3. Vuelta director Javier Guillén has previously highlighted Piedmont, situated in northwest Italy, as a frontrunner to host the commencement of this prestigious race. If confirmed, this will mark the third consecutive year the Vuelta has begun outside Spain, following Lisbon in 2024 and Monaco, already secured for 2026.
According to the local paper, TorinoCronaca, the opening stage is set to commence from Venaria Reale, a northwestern suburb of Turin, familiar for hosting the Giro d’Italia starts in 2021 and 2024. The stage is expected to culminate in Novara, where the flat landscape is likely to ensure a thrilling bunch sprint, a feature not seen since 2007 in Vigo when Daniele Bennati seized victory.
Stage details and regional impact
The race’s first stage will traverse the rice fields and flatlands of eastern Piedmont. Following that, stage 2 promises a rugged journey through the Langhe region, beginning in Cherasco and concluding in Alba. Stage 3, starting in San Maurizio Canavese, will challenge riders with a finish in Ceres, nestled in the Alpine foothills. Stage 4 will depart from Bussoleno in western Piedmont, ensuring the entire region is showcased before the Vuelta returns to Spain. Summit finishes are a hallmark of the Vuelta, with early tough climbs appearing in stages as early as stage 3 in the past.
Piedmont’s investment in cycling
Piedmont is vigorously attracting major cycling events; it hosted the Grande Partenza for the 2021 and 2024 Giros and featured in the 2024 Tour de France. The region also concluded the 2024 Tour de l’Avenir at the renowned Colle delle Finestre and is set to welcome the race again in 2027. Intriguingly, the Giro d’Italia 2025 is expected to finish a stage at Sestriere, a site steeped in cycling history.
Official announcement pending
While Italy has never hosted La Vuelta since its inception in 1935, a Piedmont start wouldn’t be the most distant from Spain. Turin sits approximately 800 kilometres from Spain, closer than the 2009 Vuelta’s start at the Assen motor circuit in the Netherlands. The UCI road calendar indicates the Vuelta will commence on Saturday, 23rd August, a week later than its 2024 Lisbon debut. With a €7 million budget already outlined in Piedmont’s local financial plans, TorinoCronaca suggests a formal announcement could be made by 17th November.
Main photo credit: Getty
