The 2026 Vuelta a España begins Saturday in Monaco with a 9.5-kilometre time trial, drawing a strong field that includes Danish rider Mattias Skjelmose and Portugal's João Almeida.
Skjelmose, who finished sixth at the Tour de France, is tackling two Grand Tours in a single season for the first time in his career. The 26-day gap between the Tour's July 26 finish and the Vuelta start has not diminished his form; he says he has better legs now than during the Tour. Compatriot Mads Pedersen called a Grand Tour podium for Skjelmose a dream. Skjelmose placed fifth overall in his 2024 Vuelta debut, and seven other Danes join the race, which runs 21 stages through September 13.
Almeida returns to Grand Tour competition after abandoning recent races due to a blood virus and a crash in Poland that left him with bone oedema in his left knee. The 2025 Vuelta runner-up will ride in support of Tadej Pogacar. Ivo Oliveira is Portugal's other starter.