• Dutch team buoyed by summer signing of Tom Dumoulin• Nairo Quintana also among favourites on mountainous route
As the Vuelta a España celebrates its 25th edition since its move from April to September, there is no debate about the success of a shift that seemed radical at the time. The third Grand Tour now has a settled place in the season’s narrative, offering a chance for revenge or redemption after the Tour de
France, and this year is no exception, given an added twist by a particularly active summer transfer market.
The biggest move of the summer was the former Giro d’Italia winner Tom Dumoulin’s transfer to the Jumbo‑Visma squad, who have made no bones of their ambition to shake the dominance of Ineos (formerly Team Sky) in the Tour de France. With a budget second only to the
British squad, they clearly aim to match Dave Brailsford’s team for strength in depth.