Vuelta a Espana 2013: Dates, Route Map, Stage Previews and TV Coverage Info

The 2013 edition of the Vuelta a Espana is one of the biggest cycling races of the year, and the excitement surrounding the event is growing exponentially by the day.

The Tour de France has become the biggest race on the cycling calendar, but the beautiful sights along the Spanish route and the ferocity of the battles on the course make this event just as entertaining.

Fans of the sport won’t want to miss a second of the action.

Where: Spain

When: Aug. 24 to Sept. 15

Watch: NBC Universal Sports Network

Live Stream: Universal Sports Network LIVE

Route Map

Via SteepHill.TV.

Full Vuelta a Espana Schedule

DATE	TIME (ET)	STAGE
Aug. 24	1-3 p.m.	Stage 1: Vilanova de Arousa – Sanxenxo
Aug. 25	10 a.m.-12 p.m.	Stage 2: Pontevedra – Baiona. Alto Do Monte Da Groba
Aug. 26	10 a.m.-12 p.m.	Stage 3: Vigo – Mirador de Lobeira / Vilagarcía de Arousa
Aug. 27	10 a.m.-12 p.m.	Stage 4: Lalin/a Estrada – Finisterra. Etapa Fin del Mundo
Aug. 28	10 a.m.-12 p.m.	Stage 5: Sober – Lago de Sanabria
Aug. 29	10 a.m.-12 p.m.	Stage 6: GuiThulo – Caceres
Aug. 30	10 a.m.-12 p.m.	Stage 7: Almendralejo – Mairena de Aljarafe
Aug. 31	10 a.m.-12 p.m.	Stage 8: Jerez de la Frontera – Estepona. Alto Penas Blancas
Sept. 1	10 a.m.-12 p.m.	Stage 9: Antequera – Valdepenas de Jaen
Sept. 2	10 a.m.-12 p.m.	Stage 10: Torredelcampo – Guejar Sierra. Alto Hazallanas
Sept. 3		REST DAY
Sept. 4	10 a.m.-12 p.m.	Stage 11: Tarazona – Tarazona
Sept. 5	10 a.m.-12 p.m.	Stage 12: Maella – Tarragona
Sept. 6	10 a.m.-12 p.m.	Stage 13: Valls – Castelldefels
Sept. 7	10 a.m.-12 p.m.	Stage 14: Baga – Andorra. Collada de la Gallina
Sept. 8	10 a.m.-12 p.m.	Stage 15: Andorra – Peyragudes
Sept. 9	10 a.m.-12 p.m.	Stage 16: Graus – Sallent de Gállego. Aramon Formigal
Sept. 10		REST DAY
Sept. 11	10 a.m.-12 p.m.	Stage 17: Calahorra – Burgos
Sept. 12	10 a.m.-12 p.m.	Stage 18: Burgos – Pena Cabarga
Sept. 13	10 a.m.-12 p.m.	Stage 19: S. Vicente Barquera – Oviedo. Alto Naranco
Sept. 14	10 a.m.-12 p.m.	Stage 20: Aviles – Alto de L'Angliru
Sept. 15	10 a.m.-12 p.m.	Stage 21: Leganes – Madrid

Stages Fans Won’t Want to Miss

Stage 1: Vilanova de Arousa – Sanxenxo

The opening of this famous race will be as exciting as they come. The course makes its way from Vilanova de Arousa to Sanxenxo in a 27-kilometer time trial that will feature the best sprinters in cycling fighting for the early lead.

Not only will the competition entertain even the most casual fans of the sports, but the beautiful surroundings of the Spanish course will also help cycling enthusiasts get behind this event.

This is the perfect start to the Vuelta a Espana.

Stage 15: Andorra – Peyragudes

The biggest and toughest test for the cyclists involved in this race will be Stage 15. The battle goes from Andorra to Peyragudes in a 233-kilometer test of endurance that will push the racers to their physical and mental limits.

With five points of ascension and five points at which the cyclists will be descending, this portion of the course is a quintessential mountain stage. The climbers in the field will have the distinct advantage here, and this is where they will be able to mount comebacks in the overall standings.

Stage 21: Leganes – Madrid

Just as the Tour de France ends each year with a beautiful trip through the streets of Paris, France, the Tour of Spain ends with an equally stunning trip through the capital city of Madrid.

The cyclists will be battling until the very end for the overall victory, and fans with not want to miss the final stage of the race being contested in the streets of Spain’s largest city.

With the sights matching the intense racing on course, Stage 21 is the perfect ending to another amazing event.

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The 2013 edition of the Vuelta a Espana is one of the biggest cycling races of the year, and the excitement surrounding the sport is growing exponentially by the day.

As much as the Tour De France has become the biggest event on the cycling calendar, the beautiful sights along the Spanish route and the ferocity of the battles on the course makes this race just as entertaining.

Fans of the sport won’t want to miss a second of the action.