Call us: 617-242-7845 | Email us: hello@sportivebreaks.us
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United States
Call us: 617-242-7845 | Email us: hello@sportivebreaks.us
Friday, September 5 – Monday, September 15, 2025
(Exact dates TBC)
2024 tour price
After the Vuelta a Espana route announcement in December 2024, you will benefit from the following privileges:
The information on this page relates to our 2024 tour, and is provided as a guide to what our 2025 tour may look like.
Sportive Breaks was your Official Tour Operator for the 2024 Vuelta a Espana. Our tour started and finished in Madrid and along with our time in Madrid, we stayed in Oviedo, Rioja and Burgos.
As an official Vuelta tour operator we have access to exclusive Vuelta VIP experiences which are included in your package. Witness three high altitude finishes; Stage 16 at Covadonga, Alto Moncalvillo during Stage 19 and the Stage 20 finish atop Picon Blanco. After experiencing these exciting stages, we will arrive to Madrid in time for the Stage 21 Individual Time Trial. You will enjoy VIP access as the 2024 Vuelta champion is crowned. Don’t miss this week of cycling & the excitement of Spain’s premiere road cycling race!
We offer daily guided and supported rides where cyclists can test themselves on some of Europe’s toughest climbs. Highlights include the Angliru, Lagos de Covadonga and the Picos de Europa.
9 nights in excellent hotels
Breakfast daily & 6 dinners included
Airport transfers at set times to Madrid Barajas Airport on departure
Carbon road bikes available to rent
For cyclists and spectators
Cross the Finish Experience and Finish Hospitality plus Neptuno VIP in Madrid included.
Watch the Race for Red from up close: Be with us for the exciting final stage of the 2024 Vuelta a Espana. See the peloton ride through the Capital city then watch the winner being crowned on the final day in Madrid.
Spread your payments: Our interest free payment plan allows you to spread out your payments.
Ride the Angliru: Test yourself on L’Angliru one of Europe’s toughest road cycling climbs. We think it is even harder than the Mortirolo & Zoncolan in Italy!
Excellent hotels included: Enjoy our hotels including Balnearios’ (spa resorts) and Madrid city centre hotel
Cycle the Picos de Europa National Park: Spain’s version of the Dolomites with its alpine limestone peaks, pristine forests, lakes, and deep canyon roads!
Ride the Lagos de Covadonga: On the race route in 2024, this stunning climb is a must do!
Live race viewing from Vuelta Hospitality Areas: Witness the excitement of live racing in comfort from official Vuelta hospitality areas: VIP Finish, Cross the Finish Experience and Neptuno hospitality on the final stage in Madrid
LIVE race viewing: Five different experiences viewing the 2024 Vuelta; 2 summit finishes, 2 mid-stage viewing and the final time trial in Madrid. Get up close and personal to all the Vuelta action with our VIP inside race access!
For those wanting to arrive to Madrid, pre-tour accommodation is available. If you are travelling with your own bike, we recommend arriving early to build your bike and store your bike bag with the hotel before the tour starts. Check-in to your central Madrid hotel will be available from 3:00 PM onwards.
No rides today
No meals
Our guides will collect you from the Radisson Blu hotel (Madrid) at approximately 10:00 AM. From Madrid we drive 4 hours to the edge of the Somiedo National Park (Asturias). We will have lunch and set-up rental bikes before setting off on our first official ride. We begin our ride on the ‘Puerto Ventana’ climb (note – puerto or alto in Spanish is equivalent to col in French). This 5 mile climb at 4.8% is perhaps the easiest climb you will ascend on the tour. It is a constant climb without any steep sections and is a great way to spin your legs after travel. After summitting, the ride follows great backroads (practically all downhill and flat) through the ‘bear gorge’ to our spa resort hotel on the outskirts of Oviedo. You are now in prime position for the upcoming Stage 16 summit finish on the nearby Lagos de Covadonga peak. This evening over dinner we will brief you on the amazing week of Vuelta cycling we have in store for you!
40 miles / 2,624 ft
Breakfast and Dinner
Road cycling enthusiasts know that Asturias, since the 1980’s, has been home to some of the most iconic Vuelta stages. Lagos de Covadonga, La Cobertoria and El Angliru have become some of the most talked about climbs in cycling circles. This is your chance to see what the hype is all about.
Today, we will take advantage of the Vuelta rest day and ride L’Angliru. Are you ready? Having cycled this monster a number of times, our team can honestly say that one is never really ready for L’Angliru. If your bike has the right gearing – compact cranks with at least a 32 rear cassette, you have some training in your legs and a lot of will, it should be enough to get you to the top. This might turn out to be your greatest road cycling achievement to date!
El ‘Alto del Angliru’ is not part of the 2024 Vuelta race edition. It was first introduced by La Vuelta organizers during 1999. We think that the 8 mile climb averaging 10.2% grade puts it in the top three of all European road cycling climbs. The final 4 miles averages 13.5% with half a dozen extended ramps ranging between 19 to 23.5%. ‘Un autentico infierno’ as the locals would say! As soon as L’Angliru made race news, it spread like a wildfire across the cycling world. There have now been 9 stage finishes since 1999 and Alberto Contador is the only rider with multiple stage wins. Primoz Roglic won the stage during 2023 as the whole ‘who is leading Jumbo-Visma dilemma’ unfolded!
Alto de Angliru – 80km/ 2000m ascent
Breakfast and Dinner
In 1936 La Vuelta arrived to Asturias for the first time. Today, you are here to ride and watch as the 2024 race moves deeper into Asturias. The pro peloton has a date with destiny today, and it goes by the name Lagos de Covadonga! Whether you are a photographer, nature lover, hiker or cyclist, everyone must visit Lagos de Covadonga (lago = lake). The majestic lakes found at the summit are returning in 2024.
In the morning there will be a 45min transfer towards the Cantabrian Sea. The first climb on the cards is the impressive Mirador del Fito (Mirador = Lookout). Get the legs going with this 4.5 mile climb at 7.9% average grade. The work needs to be done when the double-digit grades strike between miles 1.75 – 3. With striking vegetation a snaking road up to the lookout, the Asturian coastline views will be sure to impress!
The descent delivers you to the base of the Picos de Europa National Park. These mountains are commonly referred to as ‘Pequeño Dolomiti’ (Little Dolomites). Another 8.5 mile climb (7% average) takes you to towering limestone peaks. The mid-section of this climb will test your with 1.75 miles of 11% grade. Be prepared! Lagos de Covadonga was first introduced during the 1983 Vuelta race. Over the last 40 years there have been at least 21 epic stage finishes. It is one of the most beloved climbs. Pedro Delgado and Laurent Jalabert, the Spanish and French champions, are the only riders to have earned multiple stage wins.
The Fito / Covadonga double was last used during Stage 15 of the 2018 Vuelta when Thibaut Pinot took line honours over Miguel Angel Lopez and Simon Yates. This stage will certainly be an exciting finish this year. And you will partake in VIP race hospitality at the summit finish – a major highlight for our tour group!
Lagos de Covadonga – 75km / 2200m elevation gain
Breakfast and Dinner
Today we head ‘back in time’ in search of the 2024 Stage 15 Vuelta finish. A few days ago the peloton finished a gruelling climb up to Cuitu Negru. We will use our Asturian base to tackle this beast. A 25min drive will take us near the base for our ride to the summit. Our route is a narrow asphalt road which finishes at the top of the Valgrande ski station.
Cuitu Negru has only been used once before at La Vuelta. The 4WD track was asphalted for the 2012 Vuelta! The summit of the climb is situated 1.75 miles above the Puerto de Pajares climb. When combined, the two climbs include almost 12 miles at a 7% average grade. However, it is the final 1.75 miles that are the true test. An inconsistent 13% average awaits with a number of ramps of 20 and 22%. After adding this summit to your cycling CV, enjoy the descend to Leon.
After our ride, relax on a 3 hour drive to our new base in La Rioja wine region. We will spend the next 3 nights bordering Basque Country and La Rioja. A perfect location for cycling, La Rioja offers short distances between medieval towns and old and new wineries making for very scenic rides. You are now in the award winning La Rioja wine region. Be sure to experience a glass or two of the tempranillo grape. Una botella de tinto por favor!
55 miles / 4,428 ft
Breakfast and Dinner
Some of our favorite roads are on the cycling roster today! Riding from Laguardia, you will follow 30 miles of the Stage 18 Vuelta course. The mountains along La Rioja / Basque Country border, ‘Alto de Rivas de Tereso’ and ‘Puerto Herrera’, are Category 2 and Category 1 climbs respectively. We will tackle both of these climbs and be in position to watch the race as it passes mid-stage. Puerto Herrera is the most challenging with almost 4 miles averaging 8.2%. The views on the ‘Balcony of La Rioja’ road are exceptional!
After cheering on the racers, our descent past the terraced vineyards will be one to remember. We will have you back in the hotel in time to watch the Vuelta Stage 18 finish on TV with a refreshing drink!
In the early evening our guides will tour you through the medieval walled town of Laguardia which has hardly changed since the 13th Century. Viewing the sunset highlighting the Sierra de Cantabria mountains from the watch tower is not to be missed. This village still houses a rabbit warren of underground wine cellars and you will have time to visit a private cellar directly beneath the old impenetrable walls. Back on street level, a selection of tapas will be the perfect way to round out an excellent day!our
55 miles / 5,248 ft
Breakfast and Dinner
After breakfast we depart our hotel on bikes, past terraced vineyards and through small villages. There are no extended climbs in the first 50 miles but the ride does follow an undulating course with plenty of vantage points for the photographers in the group. There are modern wineries along the route that guides will point out. It is remarkable how the architecture blends in with the natural landscape. The Marques de Riscal winery is perhaps the finest example of where old meets new. The winery, founded in 1858, houses a Frank Gehry designed building. Think Guggenheim museum!
Our cycling route today links up with the final kilometres of the Vuelta Stage 19 course. We have left the best for last as you will climb ‘Alto Moncalvillo’ just like the pro peloton. The final 5.5 miles to the stage finish packs a punch and it’s 9% average grade is sure to create some decisive attacks. As the peloton gets closer to Madrid, these shorter, sharper stage summit finishes will see some challenges and provide fantastic roadside viewing!
Post-stage there will be a 30min drive back to the hotel.
Alto Moncalvillo
Breakfast and Dinner
Stage 20 of the 2024 Vuelta is the pinnacle of this Vuelta edition. Six categorized climbs lead to the base of the ‘Picon Blanco’ climb on the outskirts of Espinosa de los Monteros. This quaint town in the Burgos province has seen plenty of pro racing as this climb has been used many times at the Vuelta a Burgos stage race. The Vuelta last held this climb in 2021 when Rein Taaramae won Stage 3 and took the leader’s jersey. It has been revived for 2024.
After breakfast, we will set off from Laguardia with a 45min van transfer. Our ride heads north-west crossing between the Basque Country and Castile y Leon provinces. Solitary roads and woodlands will accompany you through to Espinosa. All that awaits now is the brutal finish up to ‘Picon Blanco’. The 5 mile climb provides an average grade of 9.2%. There are up to 20 ramps with bits between 13-17% which will test you all the way to the finish line. Savor the effort expended with a ‘cross-the-finish-line and podium’ experience included as part of your VIP hospitality. Enjoy a celebration drink and snacks in a privileged location and await the arrival of the pro peloton.
Post-stage we will drive 1.5 hours south to Burgos to enjoy a paella dinner in front of the 13th century gothic cathedral. A treat for guests in this beautifully preserved medieval city!
Picon Blanco
Breakfast and Dinner
This morning following breakfast we will drive 2.5 hours to Madrid with an expected arrival time of 12:00 PM. There will be time for a walk around the nearby Retiro park, some shopping and lunch. In the afternoon you can experience VIP hospitality at the Individual Time Trial finish.
As the sun starts to set over Paseo de la Castellana (Spain’s version of the Champs Elysees) the whir of the wheels will return to Madrid. After many difficult mountain stages the surviving GC contenders will go broke. A 13.5 mile individual time trial awaits! The post-race celebrations around the Cibeles fountain are spectacular. Sepp Kuss was a surprise winner of the 2023 edition. We can’t wait to see if he will defend his title in 2024 or ride in a support role. Viva La Vuelta!
No ride today
Breakfast
After breakfast our guides are available to transfer you to Madird Airport. Transfers are expected to arrive at 10:30 AM so please keep that in mind when booking your departing flight.
We offer a guided ride each day. With Paul as your guide on the road and a vehicle a mechanic, cyclists are well supported. We will either transport everyone to a location from where we will start the daily rides, or we will ride straight out from the hotel. We offer vehicle support for the riders and the spectators will be transported to the day’s hospitality venue or to a vantage point to watch the race.
On days where we move on to another hotel, we will transport luggage, bike boxes and bikes and we will offer an adapted itinerary depending on the day’s logistics.
Riders and spectators are reunited after our daily ride to enjoy the hospitality and VIP experiences together. We attempt to keep hotel changes and transfers to a minimum.
Our tour starts either at Madrid Barajas Airport or you can meet us at the first hotel on our tour in Madrid (Radisson Blu Madrid).
On departure day we provide transport to Madrid Barajas airport.
Bike Rental
Our tour is suitable for cyclists of any level and non-cycling spectators. The hotels we stay at are in excellent locations with the world-renowned Spanish cuisine. Our daily, guided rides give cyclists the opportunity to experience some of the most beautiful climbs featured on this year’s Vuelta a Espana. The inclusion of exclusive Vuelta Hospitality experiences elevates this tour to another level. Spectators can enjoy Vuelta culture in style and comfort.
Vuelta a Espana 2024 – VIP and Hospitality experiences included
Through our official partnership with the 2024 Vuelta a Espana we include exclusive VIP and Hospitality experiences with our tour.
Finish hospitality offers a superb vantage point along the finishing straight. Non-stop catering and open bar service are included. Plasma TV screens broadcast the race until the riders come into view live.
Feel like a pro for the day and cross under the official finish line of an actual Giro stage. We will guide you over the final miles of the stage and you will cross under the finish line before we take photos on the winner’s podium.
Sportive Breaks are part of the Destination Sport Experiences Group. When clicking on the booking link below, you will be taken to the Destination Sport Experiences booking engine. If you have any questions, please contact our team hello@sportivebreaks.us
We have a team of highly experienced professionals who have been organizing cycling trips for more than 25 years.
We offer the largest selection of European Gran Fondo and Cyclo-Sportive events.
Our interest free payment plan allows you the opportunity to spread payment for your booking. *Selected products. Terms and Conditions apply
We know the routes and we know the roads. We know how the event works and the best hotels for the start and finish. We organize everything for you; transfers, bike transport, additional feed stops, support and more.
Spread your payments: Our interest free payment system allows you to spread out your payments for the tour
A boutique hotel located in the Art Triangle and close to Atocha high-speed train station. All rooms are fully air conditioned with free Wi-Fi and a Nespresso coffee machine. The restaurant serves typical Spanish tapas and is located on the public square.
Las Caldas Villa Termal is situation 8km from Oviedo with views of the surrounding countryside. The Balneario Real Spa includes a thermal spring and offers hot tubs and steam baths. There is a contemporary style running through the decor of the rooms and all include free Wi-Fi and room service.
Located deep in La Rioja this hotel offers a rooftop terrace with views of the Sierra de la Cantabria Mountains. The rooms are fully air conditioned and have a mini bar, TV and free Wi-Fi. The restaurant serves meals from the region and boasts a full wine cellar. There is also an on site gym.
Situated in central Burgos, you’re only a short walk from the Gothic cathedral and the history on offer in the city. The hotel has modern decor and every room has a minibus, music system and free Wi-Fi. The breakfast buffet is varied and the lounge is a great area to relax with a drink or a coffee.
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