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🇪🇨 Ecuador /Sports

Tour of Ecuador cycling race returns in 2026 after year off

From El Comercio · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • The Vuelta al Ecuador cycling race will return in 2026 after a one-year absence, featuring seven stages from September 7-13.
  • The event, organized by the Ecuadorian Cycling Federation, will be a UCI Category 2.2 race.
  • Several international teams, including those from Mexico, Venezuela, Colombia, and the Netherlands, are expected to participate.

The Vuelta al Ecuador cycling race is set to make its comeback in 2026, with organizers announcing the event will take place from September 7 to 13. This marks the return of the prestigious competition after a year-long hiatus.

The Ecuadorian Cycling Federation (FEC) officially launched the 2026 edition on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at the Pichincha Sports Concentration. The event will celebrate its 60th edition and has been classified as a UCI Category 2.2 race by the International Cycling Union. FEC President Juan Andrade called for investment from both public and private sectors to support the competition.

Race technical director Santiago Rosero detailed the route, which will consist of seven stages primarily in the central-north highlands of Ecuador. The stages include a 135-kilometer opening leg from Machachi to Baños, followed by a circuit in Riobamba, and a 141-kilometer stage between Urbina and El Boliche. Other stages will traverse Sangolquí, El Cajas, Bolívar, Tulcán, Cuicocha, Cotacachi, and conclude at the Mitad del Mundo in Quito. The race will feature 17 intermediate sprints and 18 mountain climbs, with five jerseys awarded to leaders in various categories.

Several international teams have confirmed their participation, including Esparta Training from Mexico, PGA and Universe Cycling Team from the Netherlands, Fundación Jorge Rodríguez from Venezuela, and Team Medellín from Colombia, which currently leads the UCI America Tour. The presence of these teams underscores the race's growing international profile and its importance for developing local talent.

This case involves an extraordinary and unlawful injunction that will halt the ongoing construction of the integrated military complex, including a totally secure ballroom space, at the East Wing of the White House, which is vitally required by national security

— Solicitor general D John SauerSolicitor general D John Sauer, who represents the administration, asked the Supreme Court to rule on its stay petition before the appeals court panel’s decision takes effect on Friday. “This case involves an extraordinary and unlawful injunction that will halt the ongoing construction of the integrated military complex, including a totally secure ballroom space, at the East Wing of the White House, which is vitally required by national security,” Sauer wrote.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El Comercio in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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