Twenty-three teams participated in the 2021 Vuelta a España. All nineteen UCI WorldTeams were obliged to participate. Four UCI ProTeams also participated: Alpecin–Fenix was automatically invited as the best-performing ProTeam in 2020, as well as three wildcard teams selected by the Amaury Sport Organization. Usually, only twenty-two teams would participate in the race, but the Union Cycliste Internationale allowed grand tour organizers to invite one extra wildcard team in 2021 to account for hardship created by the COVID-19 pandemic.[4]
Denotes a rider who did not start, followed by the stage before which he withdrew
DNF
Denotes a rider who did not finish, followed by the stage in which he withdrew
DSQ
Denotes a rider who was disqualified from the race, followed by the stage in which this occurred
HD
Denotes a rider finished outside the time limit, followed by the stage in which they did so
COV
Denotes a rider who withdrawn because of COVID-19 either because he tested positive or team members tested positive, followed by the stage before which he withdrew
Ages correct as of Saturday 14 August 2021, the date on which the Vuelta begins