MADRID (AP) — Spanish Vuelta organizers announced the race will end in the pilgrim city of Santiago de Compostela instead of the traditional finish in Madrid.
The Spanish cycling classic launches with a team time trial at Jerez on Aug. 23 and finishes over three weeks later with an individual time trial along the 1,000-year-old Camino de Santiago, or the Way of St. James.
The Spanish capital has been bypassed over the 21 stages, with the 69th edition split between the southern and northern coasts.
The Vuelta will feature nine new finishes and punishing climbs to Camperona, the Lakes of Covadonga and Farrapona among 13 mid-to-high mountain stage finishes.
American cyclist Christopher Horner won the red jersey last year.
