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Vuelta a Espana

We will be in Madrid during the third week of Vuelta a Espana.

Would any one have advise on how to travel out to one of the stages to watch the race live?
How crowded are the race routes?
Stage 18 is in the Becerril de la Sierra area. It appears there is a train that goes close to that, but is there any public transportation (bus, taxi, uber, etc...) in that area?
We would like to be on one of the mountains to see the climb.
Does anyone have a recommendation for a tour company that would do a one day trip. we have found several that provides whole week tours or just stage finish pass, but no one that does a single day tour into the mountains.

Thank you for any advise

Posted by
7363 posts

We’ve been spectators on a number of Tour de France stages over the years, and not present at any bike race on Spain (yet), but if this helps on any level:

We didn’t even seek out an organizer. If you find a tour company, that might simplify things. In France, at least, we usually drove a rental car, and pulled over when we could see other cars starting to gather on the side of the road, then walked to our viewing spot. On the Alpe d’Huez, we rode 2 chairlifts from the back side to get about 150 meters from the finish line, at the top. If you’re planning on being along the slope, watching racers grind uphill, you’ll likely need to plan to get there really early, before the road is closed off and/or the route gets really packed with people, and you can’t get your ideal spot. Using public transportation, of course, would mean not having to find a parking place for a rental car. Hope you get a good experience, and cooperative weather!

Posted by
6113 posts

The trouble with the mountain stages is that the roads close hours before the race passes by, so unless you are in place by 6-7 am, unless you walk or cycle, you won’t be able to get there, which is why tours don’t run, presumably.