Vuelta a España Race Guide

The Vuelta a España marks the final Grand Tour of the season and this year is celebrating its 75th anniversary. Although Tour de France winner Alberto Contador and reigning champion Alejandro Valverde won't be competing this time around, a whole host of other big-names will be in attendance, with Denis Menchov, Mark Cavendish and the Schleck brothers among a glittering array of talent.

Team Sky will be sending a strong nine-man squad for their first appearance, with Thomas Löfkvist leading the general classification charge after battling to 17th place at the Tour de France. Juan Antonio Flecha, Simon Gerrans and Kjell Carlström have also ridden the race before and will pass on their wealth of knowledge to debutants John-Lee Augustyn, Lars-Petter Nordhaug and Peter Kennaugh, Ben Swift and Ian Stannard.

Here we take a look at what each stage will offer during the 21 days of intensive action:

Saturday 28 August: Stage 1 - Seville to Seville - 13.0km (TTT)

This year's race gets under way with an evening team time trial around the centre of Seville. Time gaps could open up quickly on the tricky first 5km, but it's going to be full gas from then on, all the way to the finish line outside the Torre del Oro. Thousands of fans will be lining the floodlit route, so expect the atmosphere to be as electric as the action itself.

TV Coverage: Live on British Eurosport between 2030-2300*. Viewers can also watch live online at www.eurosportplayer.co.uk

Sunday 29 August: Stage 2 - Alcalá de Guadaíra to Marbella - 173.7km

The first 130km of this lumpy trek down to the Mediterranean will certainly get the muscles pumping as the riders will have to climb steadily from sea level up to the summit of the Alto de Ronda (1130m). A category-3 ascent on the Alto de Pruna (620m) has also been included along the way, but once they crest the Ronda it's downhill into Marbella and the sprinters' teams will be looking to haul back the inevitable breakaways before a flat finish in this famous coastal resort.

TV Coverage: Live on British Eurosport between 1500-1645*. Viewers can also watch live online at www.eurosportplayer.co.uk

Monday 30 August: Stage 3 - Marbella to Malaga - 157.3km

The action resumes from where it left off but today is going to be a tougher spell in the saddle. The peloton could splinter early on as the riders tackle the testing second-category climb out of Marbella, and the Puerto del León (920m at 120.4km - category 1) will also separate the men from the boys before they drop back down into Malaga for one last-gasp burst up to the Castillo de Gibralfaro.

TV Coverage: Live on British Eurosport between 1500-1645*. Viewers can also watch live online at www.eurosportplayer.co.uk

Tuesday 31 August: Stage 4 - Málaga to Valdepeñas de Jaén - 183.8km

Today could be another one where the breakaways succeed as it's a lumpy old stage which sees the category two-rated ascent up the Alto de Valdepeñas de Jaén (1090m) topping out just 8km from the finish line. The fact that it's downhill before a short, steep climb to the finish should certainly work to their advantage and any significant time gains here could yield a new overall leader.

TV Coverage: Live on British Eurosport between 1500-1645*. Viewers can also watch live online at www.eurosportplayer.co.uk

Wednesday 1 September: Stage 5 - Guadix to Lorca - 198.8km

After four days of intensive action, this relatively straightforward stage should offer some respite for the general classification contenders and give the sprinters a chance to get themselves back in the limelight. The road drops gradually over the final 70km and the pan-flat finishing straight should guarantee an explosive climax.

TV Coverage: Live on British Eurosport between 1500-1645*. Viewers can also watch live online at www.eurosportplayer.co.uk

Thursday 2 September: Stage 6 - Caravaca de la Cruz to Murcia - 151.0km

Simon Gerrans could well be looking for a repeat of last year's stage-winning performance here and the parcours for 2010 should suit his punchy style. There is nothing to trouble the peloton during the opening 130km of action, but the gruelling Alto de la Cresta del Gallo (370m at 133.6km - category 2), which comes just 10km from the line, looks highly likely to decide the stage as the sprinters will be unable to stay with their lighter rivals.

TV Coverage: Live on British Eurosport between 1500-1645*. Viewers can also watch live online at www.eurosportplayer.co.uk

Friday 3 September: Stage 7 - Murcia to Orihuela - 187.1km

With the mountains looming large in the days to come, the race organisers have included this straightforward stage which will allow the climbers to rest up and let the sprinters again do their thing. The third category Alto de Puerto de Hondón de los Frailes (500m at 126.8km) is the only significant obstacle to overcome in the second half of the stage but the bunch will be back together as they enter Orihuela and the lead-out trains will be battling for supremacy as they hit the closing straight.

TV Coverage: Live on British Eurosport between 1500-1645*. Viewers can also watch live online at www.eurosportplayer.co.uk

Saturday 4 September: Stage 8 - Villena to Xorret de Catí - 190.0km

This is the first proper mountain stage of this year's tour and five categorised climbs must be overcome as the peloton works its way around the province of Alicante. The most challenging is undoubtedly the last one up the Alto Xorret del Catí (1100m at 186.8km - category 1), which ramps up to a whopping 20% in places. The first riders over the top here will surely battle it out for the stage win as the finish line comes after a sharp 3km descent into Xorret de Catí.

TV Coverage: Live on British Eurosport between 1445-1645*. Viewers can also watch live online at www.eurosportplayer.co.uk

Sunday 5 September: Stage 9 - Calpe to Alcoy - 187.7km

The relatively easy start here belies what is to come as there's barely a flat section of road for the final two thirds of this punishing stage. The six categorised climbs should sort the wheat from the chaff as the overall contenders come to the fore, and any strong descenders that move clear of the pack on the Alto del Revolcat (770m at 181.1km - category 3) could well secure a hard-fought stage win.

TV Coverage: Live on British Eurosport between 1530-1645*. Viewers can also watch live online at www.eurosportplayer.co.uk

Monday 6 September: Rest day

Tuesday 7 September: Stage 10 - Tarragona to Vilanova i la Geltrú - 175.7km

Although the road rises steadily during the opening 80km of action, it is the Alto del Rat Penat (485m at 143.9km) that looks set to decide this stage. This category-1 climb is a beast from the off and gradients over 23% in places should smash the peloton apart. The poor quality roads on the descent won't help matters either and only a few hardy riders should still be in contention on their arrival into Vilanova i la Geltrú.

TV Coverage: Live on British Eurosport between 1530-1645*. Viewers can also watch live online at www.eurosportplayer.co.uk

Wednesday 8 September: Stage 11 - Vilanova i la Geltrú to Andorra (Pal) - 208.4km

The opening 175km of this lengthy stage should be a breeze as the peloton pedals from the coast to the Pyrenees, but once they cross over into Andorra, things are going to get a whole lot harder. The road up to the summit finish in Pal is wide and well maintained, but the fact that it tops out at a lofty 1900m makes this hors catégorie beast one of the toughest and most sustained ascents of the entire tour.

TV Coverage: Live on British Eurosport between 1530-1645*. Viewers can also watch live online at www.eurosportplayer.co.uk

Thursday 9 September: Stage 12 - Andorra la Vella to Lleida - 172.5km

After just one night in Andorra, the race swings back into Spain and this one has sprint stage written all over it. The category 2-rated Coll de Bóixols (1370m at 54.3km) could see a clutch of riders move clear but their threat should easily be annulled as the route descends steadily into the destination town and the flat finish also looks perfect for a heart-pounding conclusion.

TV Coverage: Live on British Eurosport between 1530-1645*. Viewers can also watch live online at www.eurosportplayer.co.uk

Friday 10 September: Stage 13 - Rincón de Soto to Burgos - 196.0km

The inclusion of two third category climbs in the final 60km makes this stage a hard one to predict as the inevitable escapees will stand a good chance of staying clear if the sprinters' teams are not firing on all cylinders. The wind could also play its part if it whips up on the wide open roads into Burgos.

TV Coverage: Live on British Eurosport between 1530-1645*. Viewers can also watch live online at www.eurosportplayer.co.uk

Saturday 11 September: Stage 14 - Burgos to Peña Cabarga - 178.0km

The Cantabrian mountains have been touted as the place where this year's race will be won and lost and the summit finish up to Peña Cabarga looks likely to play a significant part in that conclusion. Although it's only 5.9km long, the fact that it follows two category-2 ascents means the riders' energy reserves will already be low as they hit it, and the final 2km at 18% means only the strongest will still be in contention as they battle over the line.

TV Coverage: Live on British Eurosport between 1530-1645*. Viewers can also watch live online at www.eurosportplayer.co.uk

Sunday 12 September: Stage 15 - Solares to Lagos de Covadonga - 187.3km

The stunning views over the Bay of Biscay could provide the only entertainment during the first 140km of this stage as it's flat, flat, flat all the way towards Ribadesella. It's only when they turn inland and climb up to Lagos de Covadonga that the fireworks will really begin. This hors catégorie monster is an absolute killer and rises 1000m in just 14km, with the notorious 'boneyard' coming at La Huesera. Here, the road hits 15% for the best part of a kilometre, and there's more ascending to come before the short drop to the finish line.

TV Coverage: Live on British Eurosport between 1530-1645*. Viewers can also watch live online at www.eurosportplayer.co.uk

Monday 13 September: Stage 16 - Gijón to Cotobello - 181.4km

There's no let-up in the torment just yet as this stage is as tough, if not tougher, than the two which have come before it. A trio of category 1 climbs in the final 70km could shatter the dreams of several GC hopefuls, with the toughest of those coming first on the Puerto de San Lorenzo. Not only is it the tallest ascent of the day, with sections at 15% it's also one of the steepest. The summit finish up the Alto de Cotobello is no walk in the park either and late attacks here could prove decisive in the battle for the red jersey.

TV Coverage: Live on British Eurosport between 1500-1645*. Viewers can also watch live online at www.eurosportplayer.co.uk

Tuesday 14 September: Rest day

Wednesday 15 September: Stage 17 - Peñafiel to Peñafiel - 46.0km (TT)

Any time-trial specialists that fell off the pace in the mountains will be looking to come right back to the fore here on this lengthy, yet pan-flat loop to the west of Peñafiel. With no technical or tight turns to contend with, the pace promises to be scorching.

TV Coverage: Live on British Eurosport between 1500-1645*. Viewers can also watch live online at www.eurosportplayer.co.uk

Thursday 16 September: Stage 18 - Valladolid to Salamanca - 148.9km

In contrast to the toils of the past week, this stage could well be the easiest of the entire tour. The relatively short trek into Salamanca is also one of the flattest and any sprinters that have anything left in their legs will be champing at the bit to go all-out on the Avenida de Federico Anaya. Only the winds which commonly whip up on Spain's central plateau could threaten to scupper those plans.

TV Coverage: Live on British Eurosport between 1500-1645*. Viewers can also watch live online at www.eurosportplayer.co.uk

Friday 17 September: Stage 19 - Piedrahita to Toledo - 231.2km

One of the shortest stages of the tour has been followed by the longest here, although there is little to trouble the riders after they pass over the category 2-rated Puerto de la Chia. Any attacks there stand a good chance of staying away as its lumpy terrain from thereon in, but the most likely conclusion should be another bunch sprint if the chasers can rouse themselves into action.

TV Coverage: Live on British Eurosport between 1500-1645*. Viewers can also watch live online at www.eurosportplayer.co.uk

Saturday 18 September: Stage 20 - San Martín de Valdeiglesias to Bola del Mundo - 172.1km

This is the one that will settle the 2010 Vuelta once and for all - the undisputed Queen stage of the tour. The action should be frenetic from the off as the Alto del León (1515m - category 1) is looming large after 62.3km, but even when they have crested that peak the Puerto de Navacerrada (1860m - category 1) must also be climbed twice before one brutal twist to round things off. The second time they reach that summit they must then turn onto a minor road which climbs a further 300m up to the telecommunications masts on the neighbouring Bola del Mundo.

TV Coverage: Live on British Eurosport between 1500-1645*. Viewers can also watch live online at www.eurosportplayer.co.uk

Sunday 19 September: Stage 21 - San Sebastián de los Reyes to Madrid - 85.0km

Just like the final stage of the Tour de France, the short trip into the capital is largely a procession, but the action should pick up considerably on the final 12 laps of Madrid's city centre before one last burst on the Plaza de Cibeles.

TV Coverage: Live on British Eurosport between 1500-1645*. Viewers can also watch live online at www.eurosportplayer.co.uk

*= times are all subject to change