The Three Grand Tours of Road Cycling: A Comprehensive Overview of the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia, and Vuelta a España

In road cycling, the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia, and Vuelta a España are collectively known as the “Three Grand Tours.” They are the most important races of the season. In recent years, women’s races have also been on the rise, providing more opportunities for top female cyclists to shine on the world stage.

Giro d’Italia

• Race Date: May
• Location: Italy, covering a total distance of approximately 3,413.3 kilometers
• Leader Jerseys:
  • Pink Jersey (Maglia Rosa): Worn by the overall race leader
  • Ciclamino Jersey (Maglia Ciclamino): Worn by the leader of the points classification
  • Blue Jersey (Maglia Azzurra): Worn by the best climber (King of the Mountains)
  • White Jersey (Maglia Bianca): Worn by the best young rider

Giro d’Italia Donne

• Race Date: Early July
• Duration: 10 days (the longest women’s stage race)
• History: Established in 1988, it is the oldest of the women’s Grand Tours.

Tour de France

• Race Date: July
• Location: France, covering a total distance of approximately 3,500 kilometers
• Leader Jerseys:
  • Yellow Jersey (Maillot Jaune): Worn by the overall race leader
  • Green Jersey (Maillot Vert): Worn by the leader of the points classification (best sprinter)
  • Polka Dot Jersey (Maillot à Pois Rouges): Worn by the leader of the mountains classification (best climber)
  • White Jersey (Maillot Blanc): Worn by the best young rider (under 26 years old)

Tour de France Femmes

• Race Date: July 26 – August 3, 2025
• Duration: 9 days
• History: Originally held in 1984, the race faced financial challenges leading to its discontinuation. It was officially revived in 2022 and has been held annually since.

Vuelta a España

• Race Date: August
• Location: Spain, covering a total distance of approximately 3,151 kilometers
• Leader Jerseys:
  • Red Jersey: Worn by the overall race leader
  • Green Jersey: Worn by the leader of the points classification (best sprinter)
  • White Jersey with Blue Polka Dots: Worn by the leader of the mountains classification (best climber)
  • White Jersey: Worn by the best young rider (born after January 1, 1999)

La Vuelta Femenina

• Race Date: May 4–10, 2025
• Duration: 7 days
• History: Initially held as a one-day race in 2015, it expanded to a multi-day event over the years. In 2023, it was officially rebranded as “La Vuelta Femenina” and has continued to grow in prominence.

The Rise of Women’s Grand Tours!

In the past, the spotlight of the three Grand Tours was almost entirely on the men’s races. However, with the return of the Tour de France Femmes and the growth of the Giro d’Italia Donne and La Vuelta Femenina, women’s cycling is gaining increasing influence. This not only gives more talented female cyclists the opportunity to shine on the world stage but also allows fans to enjoy even more thrilling races!