Updated on November 18, 2025
Monaco is preparing to write a new page in cycling history. In August 2026, the Principality will host the Grand Départ of La Vuelta a España for the first time, starting from the legendary Place du Casino and the Prince's Palace.
Summary:
Monaco, world capital of grand departures
In August 2026, the Principality will write a new page in its sporting history. For the very first time, La Vuelta will start in Monaco, with a Grand Départ at Place du Casino. Official presentation of the teams on Thursday evening, time trial on Saturday, second stage on Sunday: from 20 to 23 August, the Rock will live to the rhythm of the red jersey.
With this start to the Tour of Spain, Monaco will become the only country in the world to have launched all three Grand Tours: the Giro in 1966, the Tour de France in 2009 and, now, La Vuelta in 2026. This is a crowning achievement for a country already designated the ‘world capital of sport 2025’.
The race route was presented at One Monte-Carlo on 24 October 2025, in the presence of Prince Albert II, his Minister of State Christophe Mirmand and La Vuelta's Director General Javier Guillén.
A 100% Monegasque time trial
The highlight of this Grand Départ will be a 9.6 km individual time trial, entirely on the streets of the Principality, on Saturday 22 August 2026. The race will start from the legendary Place du Casino, in front of the Belle Époque façade of the Casino de Monte-Carlo, the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo and the Café de Paris Monte-Carlo, and finish on Boulevard Albert-Ier, the same place where the Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix ends each year.
In between, the peloton will enjoy a veritable postcard tour of Monaco: from the Place du Casino to Port Hercule, then a loop around the Port de Fontvieille and the marquee of the Monte Carlo International Circus Festival, a salute to the Stade Louis-II, a climb up to Boulevard des Moulins, crossing the Larvotto and Mareterra, all on a narrow, winding and demanding stretch of tarmac.
Unlike some very straight circuits, the Monegasque track is technical and fast-paced, with a series of curves, changes of pace and slight inclines, particularly towards Annonciade and Fontvieille. It is a course that showcases the many facets of the Principality.
The second stage starts from the Prince's Palace
The next day, it will be time for the second stage, which will leave Monaco before heading to France. The start will be given from the Prince's Palace on the Rock, promising spectacular images. The riders will cross the narrow streets of Monaco-Ville before diving back down to the port, going up Avenue d'Ostende and then Boulevard Princesse-Charlotte, heading towards the border.
This stage will quickly leave the Principality to join the French roads. We will have to wait until 17 December 2025 for the full presentation of La Vuelta 2026 route, which, notably, will take place in Monaco and not in Madrid as usual. This is yet another symbol of the importance attached to this Grand Départ on the Riviera.
For spectators, this second day will offer another way to enjoy the event: no longer frozen along the barriers of a time trial, but following a race that leaves the Rock, winds through the streets and then escapes to the heights of the Nice hinterland.
A postcard of the Monaco lifestyle
Beyond the sporting event, this Grand Départ offers a unique opportunity to discover the Principality's lifestyle. The time trial is designed as a moving showcase: Place du Casino, legendary hotels, new architecture on the seafront at Mareterra, Larvotto beaches, marinas and residential neighbourhoods overlooking the bay. In less than ten kilometres, the whole of Monaco will be on display.
For cycling enthusiasts, the experience promises to be complete. As with every Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix, we can already imagine the terraces of the Café de Paris Monte-Carlo and the balconies of the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo transformed into open-air boxes, the pontoons of Port Hercule taken over by fans of beautiful images, and the esplanades of Fontvieille and Avenue du Larvotto becoming viewing points for the race.
The Principality also intends to take advantage of the event to showcase its hospitality expertise: entertainment, fan zones, high-end hospitality, and highlighting its cultural heritage. At a time when sport is becoming a powerful vehicle for promoting the country, Monaco is taking care of every detail – from meticulous logistics to television coverage.
A dream in red for Victor Langellotti
Behind the big images, there is also a more personal story: that of Victor Langellotti, 30, the first Monegasque cyclist to win a WorldTour race, who now dreams of competing in ‘his’ Vuelta, on home soil. For the climber, who is competing in a WorldTour team this season, seeing one of the three Grand Tours start in his hometown, in front of his family and friends, is like a modern fairy tale.
It is a powerful symbol for the Principality, which now sees one of its own flying the flag for cycling on the international stage.
In 2026, the red of the Vuelta will blend with the red and white of Monaco. And while the favourites will be aiming above all for the final victory in Madrid, one thing is certain: the Grand Départ will have already offered the peloton, Monegasques, residents, visitors and television viewers a unique moment, combining sporting performance and urban elegance.
A Vuelta that starts in Monaco is a promise that the show will begin even before the first pedal stroke in Spain.
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