Pogacar edges closer to Vuelta return after seven-year absence
Reports in Spain suggest the Tour de France leader is edging closer to a long-awaited return to the Vuelta a España.
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Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) is increasingly likely to return to the Vuelta a España for the first time since 2019, according to a report from AS.
Pogačar made his Grand Tour debut at the Vuelta in 2019, announcing himself as a future Grand Tour great by winning three stages, the youth classification, and finishing third overall behind Primož Roglič and Alejandro Valverde.
Since his sole appearance at the Vuelta, Pogačar has gone on to win four editions of the Tour de France and one Giro d’Italia.
A victory at the Vuelta would see the Slovenian complete the Grand Tour set, becoming only the ninth male rider to do so. Pogačar’s long-time rival, Jonas Vingegaard (Visma | Lease a Bike), became the latest rider to join the exclusive club with his Giro victory in May.
In June, Vuelta race director Javier Guillén remained hopeful about the prospect of the world champion participating, though he admitted the final decision would be influenced by how the Tour de France unfolded.
"Pogačar's participation? It will all depend on how the Tour de France finishes," Guillén told Marca. "What's clear is that La Vuelta is the only Grand Tour he needs to further cement his legendary status."
The possibility has gathered further momentum in recent days. The 2026 Gran Partida takes place in Monaco, where Pogačar currently resides.
The race kicks off with an individual time trial in the streets of Monaco on August 22, before the city hosts the start of a hilly second stage.
AS also reports that the World Championships being held in Montréal, Canada are not an obstacle to Pogačar lining up for the Vuelta.
The Spanish Grand Tour concludes in Granada on September 13, leaving a two-week gap before the elite men's road race at the World Championships on September 27. Pogačar will be aiming to become just the second male rider, alongside Peter Sagan, to win three consecutive world road race titles.
Among the riders expected to feature at the 2026 Vuelta are joint-record winner Primož Roglič (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe), three-time runner-up Enric Mas (Movistar), and Pogačar’s Portuguese teammate João Almeida (UAE Team Emirates-XRG).
However, before attention turns to a potential Vuelta return after seven years, Pogačar and UAE’s full focus is on the Tour, where the world champion leads Vingegaard by 2:42 heading into the second week of action, while Isaac del Toro (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) sits third overall at 3:27.
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