Pogacar drops biggest hint yet over Vuelta a España return

Prince Albert II of Monaco had earlier told reporters at the start of stage 13 of the Tour de France in Dole that he hoped Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) would honour what he suggested was an expected participation in the Spanish Grand Tour.

“Tadej Pogačar said he would be at the start, so I hope that happens,” Prince Albert told the media. 

The Tour leader was asked post-stage about the comment made by Monaco’s sovereign, and Pogačar’s response indicated that the prince’s words carried significant weight. 

“Well, if the prince said, then it’s a high chance,” Pogačar told Eurosport.

The world champion has been increasingly linked with a Vuelta return in recent weeks, with reports in Spain suggesting he is edging closer to making his first appearance at the race since 2019.

The 2019 Vuelta marked Pogačar’s stunning Grand Tour debut where he won three stages, the young rider classification and finished third overall behind Primož Roglič and Alejandro Valverde.

Since then, he has gone on to win four editions of the Tour de France and the Giro d’Italia, leaving the Vuelta as the only Grand Tour he has yet to claim.

Victory in Spain would see Pogačar become only the ninth male rider to complete the Grand Tour set, joining an exclusive list that most recently welcomed Jonas Vingegaard after his Giro d’Italia triumph in May.

The 2026 Vuelta will begin with a time trial through the streets of Monaco on August 22. 

However, before attention shifts towards a possible Vuelta return, Pogačar is looking to seal the deal on a fifth Tour title, as he currently leads Vingegaard by 3:36 with eight stages remaining.