How much prize money does La Vuelta a España 2024 distribute?

More than 1.1 million euros is the budget allocated for prizes in La Vuelta a España 2024. We explain in detail how riders can accumulate earnings over the next three weeks.

How much money can riders earn in prizes during La Vuelta 2024

The economic prizes of a grand tour have traditionally been an important source of extra income for team members. Nowadays, with the budgets and salaries that teams and cyclists handle, perhaps they have taken a back seat. However, the tradition of sharing the prizes that are achieved remains, which, for helpers and mechanics, represents an important complement to the salary they receive from the team.

Adding up day by day

In La Vuelta a España 2024, the amount allocated to prizes amounts to 1,119,760 euros, of which, more than half is allocated to the prizes awarded to the top 20 finishers of each stage.

Winning a stage in La Vuelta a España means pocketing a not insignificant 11,000 euros. The rider who finishes each day in second place receives 5,500 euros and the third-place rider receives 2,700 euros. Prizes that decrease progressively to the 360 euros received by cyclists ranked between 10th and 20th place each day.

Throughout each day, it is also possible to obtain economic prizes at the Intermediate Sprint, with the winner receiving 550 euros or by cresting the various mountain passes that mark the race in first or second position, with prizes ranging from the 60 euros received by the second rider to pass a 4th category pass, to the 460 euros for the rider who crests a 1st category pass in first place. Special mention for the so-called Cima Alberto Fernández, which recognizes the highest altitude pass of La Vuelta, an award that in this edition has an Asturian flavor being located at the 1,847 meters where the Cuitu Negro is crowned, at the end of stage 15 and the winner will receive 1,000 euros.

We must not forget the prize for the most combative rider of each stage, who is awarded 200 euros.

Wearing a jersey has a prize

Leading a classification is another good source of income. The red jersey of the race receives 500 euros for each day that the coveted garment is worn. 100 euros for those who do the same with the green and blue polka dot jersey that recognizes the leader of the mountain, while the best young rider receives a reward of 70 euros for each day wearing the white jersey. The team leading the team classification also has its allocation, in this case, 400 euros.

Of course, the most important prizes correspond to the final general classification. On this occasion, the winner of La Vuelta 2024 will take home 150,000 euros, the second-place finisher will receive 57,985 euros, and the third-place finisher will receive 30,000 euros. Again, as in the stages, the prizes progressively decrease to the 3,800 euros that cyclists ranked between 10th and 20th place will receive.

The final winners of the green and white jerseys are awarded 11,000 euros each, while the mountain jersey increases its value to 13,000 euros. On the other hand, the team that wins the team classification will receive 12,500 euros, while the final prize for the most combative rider of the race is rewarded with 3,000 euros.

Comparisons are odious

As we mentioned in the case of the Tour de France, the prizes may seem modest for one of the three major cycling events, especially when compared to other sports such as tennis or golf. However, it is important to consider that the economic structure of cycling, like other team sports, involves maintaining structures and salaries, while in individual sports, the main income usually comes from the prizes won. A clear example is Snooker, which directly uses the prize money earned to establish the ranking of players throughout the season.