La Vuelta took over the Principality from 20 to 23 August as Monaco welcomed the Spanish Grand Tour for the first time, with celebrations, activations and two stages unfolding across some of the country’s most iconic locations.
The historic Grand Départ added another milestone to Monaco’s rich sporting history, with the Principality now having welcomed all three of cycling’s Grand Tours following the Giro d’Italia in 1966 and Tour de France in 2009, and becoming the first city-state to do so. From the opening celebrations in Casino Square to the final departure from the Prince’s Palace, Monaco Life looks back at the historic weekend in photos.
The weekend began in Casino Square on Thursday evening, where all 23 teams were officially presented ahead of the first stage. Among them was Tadej Pogačar, who would go on to leave Monaco wearing La Vuelta’s red jersey.
Prince Albert II joined crowds in Casino Square for the opening celebrations, welcoming the riders to the Principality ahead of a historic weekend of racing.
On Saturday, attention returned to Casino Square as the ribbon was cut to officially launch Stage 1, an individual time trial entirely within Monaco.
With less than ten kilometers separating the start and finish, every fraction of a second counted as riders raced against the clock through the streets of the Principality.
Pogačar ultimately claimed the first victory of La Vuelta 2026, beating Ethan Hayter by just 0.09 seconds. The Slovenian celebrated his Stage 1 victory alongside Prince Albert II after taking the lead in the general classification.
Sunday began at the Prince’s Palace with the “Ride for Peace”, bringing together La Vuelta Peace and Sport, alongside former professional cyclists and sporting figures, to promote the role of sport in fostering unity and peace.
The full peloton assembled in Palace Square for the official Stage 2 ceremony, preparing for the 214.3-kilometer journey from Monaco to Manosque.
With Prince Albert II among those marking the occasion, the ceremony brought Monaco’s historic Grand Départ weekend to its final moments.
The peloton then rolled away from the Prince’s Palace, bringing four days of La Vuelta festivities in Monaco to a close as the race continued towards Spain.
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All photo credits: Michaël Alesi / Palais princier