Sport
22 August, 2026
Hamilton back on Grand Tour stage
Ararat’s Lucas Hamilton will line up for the Vuelta a España, with the third and final Grand Tour of the cycling calendar commencing in a matter of hours with a time trial around the streets of Monaco, incorporating part of the famous Formula 1 Grand Prix circuit.
There are three cycling Grand Tours during the season: Giro d'Italia in May, Tour de France in July, and Vuelta a España in August.
Hamilton will ride in support of race leader Oscar Onley in the general classification, while also assisting Axel Laurance and Ben Turner on the punchier stages.
Hamilton had initially hoped to race the Giro d’Italia in May, but illness and injury ruled him out. The Tour de France was not on his radar, but after riding consistently over the past three months, he received the call-up to the Vuelta squad last week.
He raced the Vuelta a Burgos in the first week of August, which helped fine-tune his preparation and ultimately secure his selection in the Netcompany Ineos team for the Vuelta.
“The first part of the season didn’t go as well as I would have liked, but that’s cycling,” Hamilton said.
“Burgos was a warm-up for the leaders and a few riders going to the Vuelta, and at the same time, there was a race in Poland and in the Czech Republic, which meant the team wasn’t revealed until last week.
“In the end, it was good to be picked, and it’s good to be here in one of the biggest races on the calendar. Everyone wants to be a part of a Grand Tour.
“With the team we have here, hopefully we have some success over the next few weeks.”
Hamilton said the primary objective would be to support Onley.
“We believe in Oscar and want to help him give him the best result he can,” he said.
“After some injuries this year, it’s a success that he is here, and we are looking forward to supporting him.
“There’s no pressure on him, and we will look after him the best we can.
“Every day is different, and we will take it one day at a time, and we have a couple of other riders that can try their chances on a few stages.”
Hamilton will also line up alongside teammate Josh Tarling, who recently suffered the devastating loss of his younger brother Finlay, who was killed after being hit by a car during a race in Portugal last week.
Tarling decided to race the Vuelta as planned and is one of the favourites for the opening 9.4-kilometre time trial.
“As a team, we fully support Josh and support his decision to take part in the race,” Hamilton said.
“He wants to race and be on the team, and everyone is here for Josh.”
For Hamilton, the opportunity to race in Monaco adds another exciting element to the Grand Tour.
Despite having teammates and friends who live in the principality, he had never visited before.
“I have teammates and mates that live here, but I have never been myself,” he said.
“Having the presentation the other night and driving parts of the circuit, I am looking forward to having a ride around the Formula 1 circuit.
“It’s a surreal experience to ride it, and I am looking forward to it.”
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