Up to 10 mountain top finishes planned for 2018 Vuelta a Espana

The Vuelta a Espana 2018 will start with a 10km individual time-trial in the city of Malaga finishing on the marbled Calle Larios

The Spanish Grand Tour will start with an individual time-trial for the first time since 2009, taking the riders from the Centre Pompidou before finishing on Malaga's Calle Larios, most known for its marbled flooring.

This change has occurred in a push to give the race fresh appeal according to reports in Spanish newspapers.

The 2017 Vuleta a Espana saw Chris Froome take the general classification, securing an historic Tour-Vuelta double, joining only Bernard Hinault and Jacques Anquetil in this achievement.

It is expected that the Vuelta will remain in the province of Malaga for three days, and a stage to Caminito del Rey, where Esteban Chaves won in 2015, is about to be finalized.

Up to 10 Mountain Top Finishes

It would be one of the 8 to 10 mountain top stages finishes planned for next year.

The organization also reflects on the holding of a "big mountain stage" in the province of Biscay, in the Basque Country, and on maintaining a decisive stage on the eve of the final finish, as this year with the Angliru.

To balance the course, a second individual time trial, in addition to the one held at the start, seems on track to materialize in the last week.

The 2018 Vuelta will be officially revealed on January 13th in Estepona, Spain next year.