Throughout its history, 190 riders have won the Vuelta Espana general classification when they were under 26 years. Any rider under 26 qualifies for the Young Rider Classification (white jersey) introduced in 2017.
Angelino Soler was the youngest winner of the Vuelta Espana general classification when he was 21 and 168 days old. He won the 1961 Vuelta Espana.
Gustaaf Deloor is the only rider under 26 who has won the General Classification twice, in 1935 and 1936. He also won three stages in each of these years respectively.
Vincenzo Nibali is the only currently active rider who won the Vuelta Espana General Classification when he was under 26 in 2010.
For comparison, the average age of the Vuelta Espana general classification winner is 28 years and 2 months.
| Rider | Age | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Angelino Soler | 21 years + 168 days | 1961 |
| Gustaaf Deloor | 21 years + 325 days | 1935 |
| Frans De Mulder | 22 years + 153 days | 1960 |
| Gustaaf Deloor | 22 years + 336 days | 1936 |
| Bernardo Ruiz | 23 years + 175 days | 1948 |
| Bernard Hinault | 23 years + 181 days | 1978 |
| Éric Caritoux | 23 years + 263 days | 1984 |
| Faustino Rupérez | 23 years + 286 days | 1980 |
| Luis Ocaña | 24 years + 337 days | 1970 |
| Marino Lejarreta | 24 years + 360 days | 1982 |