La Vuelta a España, one of cycling’s most prestigious Grand Tours, is set to begin in Portugal this year. This marks the second time that the race will start in Portugal, with the first instance being in 1997 when Lisbon hosted the first two stages. We talked with Nelson Oliveira from Movistar Team, about the beginning of this year’s edition of La Vuelta in his home country.
Nelson Oliveira is a professional cyclist from Portugal, currently in his 15th season racing at the top level, who has made significant contributions to his teams in particular and the sport in general, particularly in La Vuelta a España. Additionally, Nelson has built a reputation as a time trial specialist, nevertheless, he is considered a versatile rider capable of excelling in various terrains.
Nelson Oliveira, his roots
Oliveira’s introduction to professional cycling was marked by his performances in the under-23 category, where he secured a bronze medal in the Mendrisio ITT Worlds in 2009 and two medals at the European Championships in 2010. Despite facing physical setbacks early in his career, Oliveira’s breakthrough came in 2015 during La Vuelta a España. It was already his fifth year at WorldTour level after three seasons at Radioshack and two at Lampre-Merida, just before signing for the Spanish team. He achieved a memorable victory on Stage 13 in Tarazona, executing a strategic solo attack that left a 30-strong breakaway behind in the final 25 kilometres.
The 35-year-old Portuguese cyclist will be taking part in a Grand Tour for the 21st time in his career, and the tenth in the Spanish Grand Tour. After so many editions, Nelson admits that things have changed over the years, especially the way of racing, but the basis of cycling has remained the same. He reflects on the years he’s been racing and admits that his experience has helped him a lot as a cyclist.
Throughout his career, Oliveira has been integral to several professional teams, including Movistar Team, where he has been since 2016. His role often involves supporting team leaders. In this La Vuelta he will be working for the team leader Enric Mas, and supporting Nairo Quintana and Einer Rubio, who he thinks will be in good shape to finish in the top 10 of the general classification too. Still, he will seize opportunities to shine individually, as he doesn’t hide the fact that he’d like to fight for a stage win.
Being the road captain in such a historical team must be a big responsibility but also an honour. Movistar Team is based in Egüés, Navarra, and it is the longest-running squad in the UCI WorldTour level. The team has been active for 45 consecutive seasons as of 2024. In more recent years, the Movistar Team has continued to excel in La Vuelta, with riders like Alejandro Valverde and Nairo Quintana contributing to its legacy. Valverde, a key figure in the team, won La Vuelta in 2009, while Quintana secured a victory in 2016.
The country next door
Portugal has a rich history in cycling, most notably through the Volta a Portugal, an annual multi-stage race that began in 1927. Known as one of the oldest stage races in the world, the Volta a Portugal is a significant event in the cycling calendar and for cycling fans.
Nelson Oliveira admits that this departure is very special for him and has everything to be a great race, emphasizing the importance of Portuguese supporters and how much he enjoys racing in Portugal, even if the opportunities to do so are limited. There are currently two races in Portugal in which World Tour teams are allowed to race: the Figueira Champions Classic and the Volta ao Algarve.
“ It’s a pleasure to start a Grand Tour in my country, to be surrounded by the Portuguese that have always supported me since the beginning.”
The return of La Vuelta to Portugal in 2024 celebrates the historical bond between the race and the country. The 2024 edition of La Vuelta will see the race commence with an individual time trial in Lisbon, starting from the iconic Jerónimos Monastery, before moving through various picturesque locations in Portugal while heading inland, riding past, some of the go-to places when it comes to cycling and training in Portugal.
Riders will tackle a flat 12-kilometre individual time trial, beginning near the iconic Belém Tower in Lisbon and concluding at the São Julião da Barra fortress in Oeiras, which hugs the mouth of the Tagus River. This short but intense time trial will define the initial standings and could favour powerful riders who excel in shorter distances.
Following the time trial, the peloton faces a longer 191-kilometer stage from Cascais to Ourém. This route is likely to suit the sprinters, offering them an early opportunity to shine and showcase their speed. The combination of flat terrain and a relatively straightforward course should create an exciting environment for the fast men of the race.
The last day in Portugal presents yet another chance for the sprinters to leave their mark. The stage concludes with a slightly uphill finish in Castelo Branco, adding an extra challenge to the sprint. As the cyclists make their way through the course, they will ride through the picturesque Serra da Estrela mountain range, providing a stunning landscape throughout the day.
Oliveira states that the TT can be a good opportunity for him, and the team will do their best to be take something out of it.. Regarding the other two stages, he admits that are more suitable for sprinters, and could be more challenging. Nonetheless he mentions that it be a great couple of stages with a very beautiful background, and will show the Portuguese public and their passion for cycling, vibrating with the passage of the riders through their lands. The Portuguese cyclist highlights the organization’s work in getting these stages on the road in Portugal.
La Vuelta will go very close to one of the most traditional climbs in Portugal, Serra da Estrela, which according to Oliveira could have been included in the route. The Torre, which tops at 1,993 meters, is the highest point in mainland Portugal and a prominent destination for cyclists. It´s a demanding yet rewarding experience combined with its tradition for cycling fans, the mythical climb to the Torre, one of the most iconic stages in Volta a Portugal.
Portugal, the golden era
Nelson Oliveira is part of a generation that has brought many smiles to the Portuguese people in international competitions, and his journey is not over yet, having a remarkable participation in the 2024 Olympic Games, finishing 7th in the individual time trial. This performance consolidates his reputation as one of the best Portuguese cyclists in TT, securing an Olympic diploma for the country.
Now a new generation is emerging with a wealth of talent far beyond road cycling, and 2024 has been a remarkable year for cycling in Portugal, with the performances of João Almeida, António Morgado, and the Portuguese duo, Iuri Leitão e Rui Oliveira in the Olympic games.
João Almeida, well-known for his consistent performances in Grand Tours, finished third in the 2023 Giro d’Italia and fourth in the 2022 Vuelta a España, establishing himself as one of the leading Portuguese cyclists today. In 2024, he had a remarkable season highlighted by his debut at the Tour de France, alongside teammates Tadej Pogacar, Juan Ayuso, and Adam Yates. His performance was outstanding, as he finished fourth overall, making him the second-best Portuguese rider in Tour history. Following this achievement, Almeida set his sights on La Vuelta a España, starting on August 17th, 2024, where he aims to maintain his strong form and compete for a podium finish.
António Morgado, on the other hand, made a name for himself as runner-up in the 2023 Under-23 World Championship and took an impressive fifth place on his debut in the Tour of Flanders this year, despite being just 20 years old.
Talking about the generation of riders that has emerged in recent years, Nelson has nothing but good things to say about them. He argues that they are young people with a lot of ability, matching and even improving their performances at the youth level, and continue to show a lot of potential on the road to being one of the best in the world.
Off-road, in the Portuguese debut at Track Cycling in the Olympic Games in Paris, Portugal made history by winning their first-ever gold medal in the discipline. The Portuguese duo, Iúri Leitão and Rui Oliveira triumphed in the men’s Madison event, marking a significant achievement for the nation in cycling. This success was part of Portugal’s most successful Olympic Games to date, with the country winning a total of four medals, including one gold, two silvers, and one bronze. Iúri Leitão’s performance was particularly noteworthy, as he also secured a silver medal in the men’s omnium, making him the first Portuguese Olympian to win two medals in a single edition of the Olympics. Nelson Oliveira couldn’t hide his joy when talking about the achievement of his fellow countrymen, as it was an unprecedented achievement for Portuguese cycling. He believes that this feat will be an asset for cycling in general, and hopes that the Cycling Portuguese Federation and the Olympic committee will take advantage of this opportunity to have Olympic medalists in cycling in Portugal and that this will allow Portuguese cycling to grow.
With this motto of growth and new prospects for cycling in Portugal, the start of the La Vuelta in Portugal marks a new point in history and brings bright prospects for the future. Come to witness the vibrant atmosphere and rich culture that Portugal offers, combined with the Portuguese tradition of cycling and the unbelievable atmosphere of the race that has always made fans cheer. This is poised to be the perfect host for the kick-off La Vuelta, a journey that will culminate in Madrid on September 8.
