The Vuelta a Espana–also referred to as La Vuelta–is one of cycling’s three grandest races, along with the recently-concluded Tour de France and the Giro d’Italia. The three-week race is the most prestigious in Spain and is about to commence its 78th edition. Although it took more time for the Vuelta to gain similar traction with the aforementioned Grand Tours, overall victory at the event is a desirable prize that often sees the best cyclists in the sport going all out.

La Vuelta is a multi-stage race that sees elite athletes fighting for the General Classification title. With that, let’s identify the latest odds covering both favorites and sleepers of August’s race.

A Closer Look at the 2023 Vuelta de España

El mapa de #LaVuelta23

Here's the official route of #LaVuelta23! pic.twitter.com/BOAHgsrxOl

— La Vuelta (@lavuelta) January 10, 2023

What to Expect from the 2023 Vuelta de España

Cycling and betting fans are excited to round off the 2023 calendar with this iconic race in Spain. The event comes after the Tour de France and the Super World Championships. Racing to wear Red Jersey in Madrid will most likely see Tour de France defending champion Jonas Vingegaard, defending champion Remco Evenpoel, and Giro d’Italia winner and three-time Vuelta winner Primoz Roglic. Giro runner-up and experienced cyclist Geraint Thomas also joins the top-five favorites.

Riders who suffered early in the Tour de France want to bounce back, including Vuelta runner-ups Richard Carapaz and Enric Mas, last year’s third place, and one of the peloton’s promising talents Juan Ayuso and fellow UAE Team Emirates teammate Joao Almeida and Jay Vine.

Between the riders and one of the most desirable prizes in cycling lies one of road racing’s toughest courses. The Vuelta is synonymous with elevation and 2023 fiercely challenges its participants. The first mountain stage comes in hot on the third day and the headline acts resemble the grueling 2020 route with a side trip to France for the Col du Tourmalet’s third big race appearance in two months. Furthermore, the return of the fearsome Alto de l’Angliru promises intense climbs for every participant.

The race is not all about climbing. There are numerous chances for the sprinters as well. A pair of time trials also await the peloton and a team-time trial to get things underway on the opening stage with a flat individual time trial coming after the first rest day.

Home favorite Enric Mas will carry the Movistar Team flag alongside 42-year-old veteran Alejandro Valverde. Mas finished runner-up behind Roglic last year and first recorded his best finish in the Vuelta in 2018. This might be the year Mas steps up and records his first major title in Spain.

A Brief Look at the Peloton

Danish cyclist Jonas Vingegaard attempts the double and attends this year’s Vuelta as the favorite to win the entire thing. Variables like his form post-Tour remain prevalent, but if he can keep his momentum going, the 26-year-old can further showcase his climbing prowess and snatch the crown from defending champion Primoz Roglic.

Primoz Roglic, Slovenia’s three-time defending champion of the race for Team Jumbo-Visma, and Olympic gold medalist aims to win an incredible fourth General Classification title and become only the second rider to win the race four times. Of course, the achievement is not without its struggles. To do so, he needs to cover the 3,280-kilometer route the quickest, in a race that highlights nine mountain stages.

EF Education–EasyPost finest, Richard Carapaz, joins the frontrunners of this year’s Vuelta. The Ecuadorian Olympic road race champion lost the 2020 edition to Roglich by a mere 24 seconds. He is a proven Grand Tour winner having won the 2019 Giro d’Italia for Movistar Team. The 30-year-old recently parted ways with the Ineos Grenadiers in search of different challenges, but massive support from Latin American fans along the roads of Spain will continue to cheer for him.

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