It consisted of 19 stages over 3,568 km (2,217 mi), ridden at an average speed of 39.85 km/h (24.76 mph).

The race revealed Augustín Tamames as a contender for the future at the Vuelta as Tamames riding in his first Vuelta held in the final week the race lead until the final individual time trial when Luis Ocaña time trialled himself into the lead.

Ocaña had finished runner up in the previous edition of the race and won the two time trials in the 1970 Vuelta.

It would be Ocaña's only win in the Spanish race.

[1] General classification(la roja) Points classification(jersey verde) Mountains classification(jersey puntos azules) Young rider classification(jersey blanco) Team classification(clasificación por equipos) Combativity award