List of Vuelta a España general classification winners

[2] The race usually covers approximately 3,500 kilometres (2,200 mi), although this has varied, passing through Spain and countries with a close proximity in Europe.

Individual finishing times for each stage are totalled to determine the overall winner at the end of the race.

[4] Individual times to finish each stage are totalled to determine the winner of the general classification at the end of the race.

The rider with the lowest aggregate time at the end of each day wears the leader's jersey.

Heras's win in 2005 was subject to a successful appeal in court which overturned his initial disqualification for EPO in the 2005 race.

Chris Horner is the oldest winner of the Vuelta, winning the 2013 edition at the age of 41 years and 328 days old.

Emilio Rodríguez was the victor in 1950, before the Vuelta was suspended from 1951 to 1954 as Spain's isolation during this period led to dwindling international interest in the race.

[15] Belgian cyclist Eddy Merckx matched Anquetil's achievement in winning all three Grand Tours when he won the Vuelta in 1973.

[22] In 2005 he appeared to have won a record fourth Vuelta, however he was later stripped of his title after failing a drug-control test.

[25] Alberto Contador won the 2008 Vuelta; the victory meant he became the fifth cyclist to win all three Grand Tours.

[29] However, on 12 June 2019, the UCI announced that Cobo was found guilty of an anti-doping rule violation in relation to his biological passport and stripped of his title six days later.

[31] American Chris Horner, became the oldest Grand Tour winner at the age of 41, when he won the Vuelta in 2013.

[32] Contador won the race for the third time in 2014, as he beat Chris Froome by one minute and ten seconds.

[34] Nairo Quintana won the 2016 Vuelta, one minute and twenty-three seconds ahead of Froome.