Who are the strongest GC contenders of the 2024 Vuelta Espana?

While the Giro d’Italia seemed predictable and the Tour de France was dominated by a select few, the Vuelta a España appears set for a more open competition. The third Grand Tour of the season often delivers unexpected results and even surprise winners. Remember when Juan José Cobo and Chris Froome battled for the red jersey in 2011? Or Chris Horner’s victory in 2013 that shocked everyone?

Last year’s win by Sepp Kuss added drama to Jumbo-Visma’s campaign. The absence of Tadej Pogačar, Jonas Vingegaard, and Remco Evenepoel, who were on another level in the Tour, creates a power gap at this Vuelta. This vacuum only heightens the intrigue of the race.

Primož Roglič (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe)

Primož Roglič has made the Vuelta his proving ground after setbacks. The Slovenian has used his three Vuelta victories as comebacks from earlier disappointments. In 2019, after losing the Giro d’Italia, he won the Vuelta. In 2020, he rebounded from a Tour de France loss to claim the pandemic-delayed Vuelta. In 2021, he won again after crashing out of the Tour.

This year, Roglič aims to bounce back after another Tour setback, with Aleksandr Vlasov as a key support rider. However, Rolf Aldag has warned that Roglič’s performance will depend on his recovery from recent injuries. The opening week will reveal much about his condition.

João Almeida (UAE Team Emirates)

João Almeida is part of UAE Team Emirates’ leadership duo and has a real shot at making a mark in this Vuelta. The Portuguese rider led the 2020 Giro for over two weeks and finished fourth overall. He has been a reliable performer in Grand Tours, often working for others but showing his quality when given the chance. Almeida finished on the podium in last year’s Giro and had a strong showing in this year’s Tour de France, coming fourth overall.

Starting in his home country, the Vuelta holds special meaning for Almeida. The 12km time trial in Lisbon gives him an early opportunity to establish himself as a team leader. UAE Team Emirates has a strong squad, with Brandon McNulty, Jay Vine, and young talent Isaac del Toro also featuring.

Sepp Kuss (Visma-Lease a Bike)

Sepp Kuss’ overall win at the Vuelta a Burgos shows he’s in good form despite a challenging 2024 season. Kuss, who won last year’s Vuelta and the 2018 Tour of Utah, had a setback when a COVID-19 infection kept him out of the Tour de France. However, missing the Tour may have given Kuss a chance to reset. He is one of the few overall contenders without a Grand Tour already in his legs this year, which could work in his favour.

This time, Kuss is joined by Cian Uijtdebroeks, while Wout van Aert will be searching for stage wins and form ahead of the World Championships.

Adam Yates (UAE Team Emirates)

Adam Yates will be a strong contender in the Vuelta. Even as a super domestique for Tadej Pogačar, Yates delivered solid performances. After assisting Pogačar in the Tour de France, where he placed sixth overall, Yates will have more freedom at the Vuelta as UAE Team Emirates’ co-leader with João Almeida.

Yates has displayed impressive form in weeklong stage races and his resurgence at UAE Team Emirates has been remarkable. In a Vuelta without Pogačar, Vingegaard, and Evenepoel, Yates could even wear the red jersey in Madrid.

Carlos Rodríguez (Ineos Grenadiers)

Carlos Rodríguez made a splash in his Vuelta debut two years ago, finishing seventh overall. This year, he enters the race with home attention, especially with Juan Ayuso absent. After placing fifth overall and winning a stage in last year’s Tour, Rodríguez had a tougher time this July, finishing seventh overall. This will be his first time racing two Grand Tours in the same season.

Rodríguez will share leadership duties with Thymen Arensman, who has had a more tailored build-up to the Vuelta after finishing sixth overall at the Giro.

Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost)

Richard Carapaz has stayed out of the GC spotlight for some time, but he’s a rider who can perform under the radar. He won the 2019 Giro and almost snatched the Vuelta from Roglič in 2020. Carapaz’s last serious GC challenge was at the 2022 Giro, where he finished second.

This year, he had to revise his expectations after crashes in the Tour and Tour de Suisse. However, he still managed to win a stage and the king of the mountains title at the Tour. The Vuelta will test his future prospects as a GC contender.

Enric Mas (Movistar)

Enric Mas has finished second at the Vuelta three times, but each step forward in his career seems followed by setbacks. In 2018, he seemed poised to become the future of Spanish cycling, finishing second overall. He repeated this in 2021 and 2022 but has struggled since.

Mas enters this Vuelta under pressure after an underwhelming season and a disappointing Tour de France, where he finished 19th. Movistar’s squad needs a big result on home soil, and Mas will be keen to prove his worth.

Ben O’Connor (Decathlon-AG2R)

Ben O’Connor matched his best Grand Tour finish with fourth place at the Giro in May. Despite illness in the final week, the race provided the reset he needed after difficult experiences in the Tour. O’Connor is set to join Jayco-AlUla in 2025, but his current team still values him highly, sending him to the Vuelta.

O’Connor has been consistent all season and aims for a stage win and a top-five finish at the Vuelta. He was the only rider to follow a full-blown Pogačar attack at the Giro, showing his inherent belief and determination.

Mikel Landa (Soudal-QuickStep)

Mikel Landa delivered one of his best Grand Tour performances at the Tour de France, finishing fifth overall while supporting Remco Evenepoel. Now, Landa will have the freedom to race for himself at the Vuelta. His record in the Spanish race has been surprisingly underwhelming, with only one stage win and a best overall finish of fifth last year.

Landa’s best Grand Tour rides have often come in the service of others, adding to his mystique. This Vuelta will reveal just what he can achieve when riding for himself.

Photo Credit: ASO-Billy Ceusters

Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek)

Mattias Skjelmose is an intriguing contender for this Vuelta. The Danish climber has shown his talent in shorter stage races and one-day events but has yet to prove himself over three weeks. Lidl-Trek sees potential in him and have held him back for this Vuelta.

Skjelmose has impressed this year with top finishes in the Tour de Suisse, Itzulia Basque Country, and Paris-Nice. He’ll be supported by a strong Lidl-Trek team, including Giulio Ciccone and Tao Geoghegan Hart, who missed the Tour due to illness but has shown promise this season.