Former champion advises Pogačar against attempting all three Grand Tours in one season

Slovenian cyclist Tadej Pogačar is set to compete in the Vuelta a España, beginning August 22 in Monaco, in pursuit of a significant victory that has eluded him thus far in his illustrious career. Following his fifth Tour de France triumph, which placed him alongside cycling legends like Eddy Merckx, Pogačar returns to the Vuelta, aiming to add another Grand Tour title to his collection.

Having already secured the Giro d'Italia in 2024 and five Tour de France titles, a victory at the Vuelta would mark his seventh Grand Tour win. This would place him among an elite group of cyclists who have won all three major tours. While he won the Giro and Tour in the same year in 2024, the ambitious feat of winning all three Grand Tours in a single calendar season remains unprecedented.

Former world champion Maurizio Fondriest believes that while Pogačar could potentially achieve such a feat, it might not be the most advisable strategy. Fondriest suggests that Pogačar has ample time to pursue records incrementally, perhaps by aiming for a sixth Tour de France title to stand alone atop the all-time list, or by focusing on future World Championship attempts.

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He can achieve it, but I wouldn't do it myself.

The Vuelta a España field, while competitive, is expected to have less star power than the Tour de France. Key rivals such as Jonas Vingegaard and Remco Evenepoel are not listed among the initial participants. Pogačar will face strong contenders like Primož Roglič and Enric Mas, supported by his UAE Team Emirates-XRG teammates, including João Almeida.

The race will commence with a 9.4-kilometer time trial in Monaco and cover 3,275 kilometers over 21 stages, concluding in Granada on September 13. The route features six demanding mountain stages, presenting a challenging course for all competitors.

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He has enough time to attack records gradually: first with a sixth Tour, with which he would take the lead on the all-time list himself, and then with new attacks on the world champion title.