No deadline for decision on Pogacar's Vuelta return: 'We'll give it some thought'

Pogačar sealed a record-equalling fifth Tour de France victory in Paris on Sunday evening, and the world champion appeared to leave the door open for Vuelta participation in his post-race press conference. “Right now, if Vuelta started tomorrow, then probably I would say no,” Pogačar said. “But in two weeks, I can still decide.” 

Speaking to Marca, UAE sports manager Matxin Joxean Fernandez indicated that the team was in no hurry to confirm Pogačar’s participation in the Vuelta, which starts on August 22. 

“Now is the time to enjoy what we’ve achieved after three weeks of hard work,” Matxin said. “We’ll give it some thought and provide an answer in due course, but there’s no clear date for when this can be finalised at the moment.”

Twelve months ago, UAE moved swiftly to rule Pogačar out of the Vuelta, announcing their roster for the race just two days after the finish of the Tour. This time out, Pogačar appeared fresher at the end of the Tour and La Gazzetta dello Sport reported on Monday that the decision has already been taken to ride the Vuelta.

Pogačar last raced the Vuelta as a neo-pro in 2019, when he scored a hat-trick of stage wins en route to third overall in his debut Grand Tour. He won the first of five Tours the following year, and he also won the Giro d’Italia in 2024.

Riding the Vuelta would present Pogačar with a clear opportunity to complete a full set of Grand Tour victories. The Tour-Vuelta double has been achieved just three times, by Jacques Anquetil (1963), Bernard Hinault (1978) and Chris Froome (2017), but five of the last six editions of the race have been won by riders who had lined up at the Tour in July.

Vuelta director Javier Guillén expressed confidence that Pogačar would line up at the Vuelta, citing the start from his adopted home of Monaco as a possible factor. Pogačar met with Prince Albert of Monaco when he visited the Tour.

“Hopefully: the latest information we have comes from Prince Albert,” Guillén told AS when asked about the prospect of Pogačar racing the Vuelta. “The rider would like to come. Once the Tour is over, he’ll assess whether he feels strong, motivated, and in good condition... Because if Tadej Pogačar comes to the Vuelta, it’s certainly to win it. He won't come any other way. As the Vuelta director, I am very optimistic that he can come.”

In 2024 and 2025, Pogačar opted against the Vuelta in order to focus specifically on the World Championships, and he claimed rainbow jerseys in Zurich and Kigali. Guillén insisted that racing the Vuelta would not prevent him from completing a hat-trick in Montreal on September 27.

“All the best circumstances are in place for him to come,” Guillén said. “It’s a Tour that has gone well for him, in terms of fatigue. I think the Vuelta is very well positioned at this time, given its distance from the Tour. 

“And besides, coming to the Vuelta to win it is also a great springboard for him to repeat his victory as world champion in Canada. Therefore, this is the best year for Tadej to come.”

Pogačar will return to his native Slovenia this weekend to ride a criterium in his hometown of Komenda before lining up in a sportive event on Sunday. He has also indicated that he plans to attend stages of the Tour de France Femmes in support of his partner Urška Žigart.