Domestique Debate: Pogacar on the start line drains the suspense from the Vuelta

UAE Team Emirates-XRG confirmed his participation on earlier this week, seven years after his only previous appearance at the Vuelta. In 2019, Pogačar won three stages and finished third overall as a neo pro, announcing himself as one of the outstanding talents of his generation.

“I’m excited to say I’m going back to La Vuelta,” he said. “It was my first ever Grand Tour back in 2019 and an amazing experience.”

He returns as the winner of a record equalling fifth Tour de France. Victory in Granada would make him the ninth rider to complete the set of overall wins at the Giro d’Italia, Tour de France and Vuelta a España.

That possibility gives the Vuelta considerable prestige. It also threatens to remove much of the uncertainty before the race has even begun.

France national coach Thomas Voeckler voiced that concern earlier this season. His admiration for Pogačar was clear, but so was his frustration at the effect the Slovenian’s dominance can have on a race.

“Pogačar is admirable. What he does is incredible, with a simplicity and pleasure in racing that commands respect,” Voeckler said. “But yes, it’s boring.”

He pointed to the European Championships, where Pogačar’s superiority left much of the interest focused on the battle for the remaining podium places.

“We can’t say that it’s ideal for suspense,” Voeckler said.

The Vuelta start list does little to challenge that argument.

Jonas Vingegaard, Remco Evenepoel and Paul Seixas will all miss the race. Four time winner Primož Roglič is expected to be Pogačar’s most established rival, but his preparation has been interrupted by a training crash.

Other leading contenders, including Felix Gall and Oscar Onley, may arrive with realistic ambitions of reaching the podium. Beating Pogačar over three weeks is a different proposition.

As Barry Ryan wrote in Domestique’s analysis of the participation of the Slovenian, “It is difficult to imagine anyone else riding into Granada on the maillot rojo on September 13.”

The organisers see it differently.

Race director Javier Guillén had spent months making clear that he wanted Pogačar back at the Vuelta. For him, the world champion’s presence adds weight to the race, even if it also makes the outcome look more predictable.

“Pogačar’s participation? It will all depend on how the Tour de France finishes,” Guillén told Marca in June. “What’s clear is that La Vuelta is the only Grand Tour he needs to further cement his legendary status.”

That is the attraction for the organisers. The Vuelta may lose some suspense, but it gains the chance to host another major chapter in Pogačar’s career.

A similar argument has been made by Tom Dumoulin, although from the perspective of a former rider rather than a race organiser.

The 2017 Giro d’Italia winner does not believe Pogačar’s dominance necessarily makes the racing less compelling.

“I love watching him race,” Dumoulin said. “He’s perhaps the greatest cyclist of all time, and it’s special to see the best win almost every race.”

He did, however, acknowledge what can be lost when one rider appears clearly superior to the rest.

“I’m not bored watching him win, although I enjoy it when there’s excitement right up to the last day,” he said.

So the trade is clear. Pogačar gives the Vuelta a headline act and a result people will still talk about in thirty years, but he may also take away the one thing a three-week race sells best, which is not knowing. 

Does his presence make the 2026 Vuelta a bigger race, or a less interesting one? Where do you stand?