Tadej Pogacar is the favourite for the Vuelta a España, which begins in Monaco on Saturday. This marks his first appearance in the Spanish race since 2019. Should he win, it would be his seventh Grand Tour win and would place him among an elite group of riders to have won all three of Europe’s major stage races.
The 27-year-old Slovenian was last defeated in a Grand Tour in 2023 and aims to become the first rider to achieve the Tour-Vuelta double since Chris Froome in 2017. His rivals are reportedly acknowledging his strong form.
The absence of his rival Jonas Vingegaard, who crashed out of the Tour de France and is recovering from a collarbone fracture, may further enhance Pogacar’s prospects. Vingegaard’s dominance in this year’s Giro d’Italia, back in May, is now in the past.
Danish rider Mattias Skjelmose indicated that Vingegaard has become disheartened by Pogacar’s performances. Skjelmose quoted Vingegaard as saying, “I can’t do any more. What am I supposed to do? I produce the best I’ve ever done and he just rides away from me.”
Pogacar is expected to be further motivated by a new contract, which is understood to keep him racing for the UAE Emirates XRG team. This news may not be welcomed by rivals such as Vingegaard, Remco Evenepoel, and younger competitors like Paul Seixas.
The Route and Challenges Ahead
The Vuelta will commence with an opening time trial stage, followed by a journey through Provence, and a transfer across the Pyrenees via Andorra into Spain. The peloton will cover over 3,275km, including seven summit finishes and numerous rough and remote roads characteristic of the Spanish race.
Many decisive stages are set to occur in southern Spain, where hot conditions, similar to those experienced during the Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes in July and August, are anticipated to persist.
With a mountain finish in the Pyrenees coming early in the race, Pogacar could potentially take an early lead. Few of his competitors have consistently contained him, with the exception of his compatriot Primoz Roglic.
Roglic, 36, who was famously overtaken by Pogacar in the penultimate stage of the 2020 Tour, has won the Vuelta four times. He acknowledges that a fifth victory is improbable, stating, “Winning it four times is something I could never have imagined. That’s why I don’t want to put any extra pressure on myself.” Roglic’s preparation was reportedly affected by being hit by a car in training three weeks ago.
Other riders in contention include Richard Carapaz, who won two stages in this year’s Tour de France, including a victory on Alpe d’Huez. The Ecuadorian, who has previously finished on the podium of both the Tour and the Vuelta, is not expected to be deterred by Pogacar’s dominance.
British Riders and Team Ineos
For the Netcompany Ineos team, this Grand Tour marks a return to racing following the loss suffered by Josh Tarling, whose brother Finlay Tarling died during last week’s Volta a Portugal. Josh is participating in the race in honour of his brother.
Their mother, Dawn, shared on social media that Finlay was very proud of his brother and would watch him compete intently. She noted that it is fitting for Josh to honour that love and pride by continuing to race. The accident involving Finlay Tarling, who collided with a non-race vehicle, is currently under investigation by Portuguese police, raising concerns about security and rider safety.
The British team will be led by Scotland’s Oscar Onley, 23, who finished fourth in the 2025 Tour de France but missed this year’s race due to injury. Onley showed strong form in the recent Tour of Burgos, and Geraint Thomas, director of racing, is keen to see him compete in the Vuelta.
Thomas commented, “This is Oscar’s first Grand Tour riding for us and he is ambitious, excited and wants to get racing. He has had some setbacks this season but his win in Burgos showed that he has recovered well and has good legs.” Onley finished second overall and won a stage in Burgos.
Another British rider to watch is Matthew Brennan, who is making his Grand Tour debut for Visma-Lease a Bike. The 21-year-old won Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne and two stages of the Vuelta a Burgos earlier this month, arriving in strong form.
The Vuelta will roll down the hill from Pogacar’s home in Monaco for its opening weekend.
Source: theguardian.com