Tadej Pogačar to headline Vuelta a España after Tour de France triumph

Tadej Pogačar is set to return to the Vuelta a España seven years after his debut, with UAE Team Emirates–XRG confirming he will lead their squad in the Spanish Grand Tour. This marks a significant opportunity for the recent Tour de France champion to capture the one major title absent from his impressive palmarés.

Pogačar's previous appearance in La Vuelta in 2019 saw him finish third overall and secure three stage victories, announcing his arrival on the Grand Tour scene. For the upcoming 81st edition, which begins August 22 with an individual time trial in Monaco, the team has assembled a strong supporting cast. Riders like João Almeida, Jay Vine, Pavel Sivakov, and Domen Novak will aim to bolster Pogačar's challenge.

The Vuelta a España route itself promises to be a formidable test, featuring seven mountain finishes, two individual time trials, and a total distance of 3,275 kilometers. This challenging parcours is designed to push the limits of the peloton's top contenders.

Notably absent from the UAE Team Emirates–XRG roster is Ecuadorian rider Jhonatan Narváez. He is still recovering from a finger fracture sustained at the Clásica de San Sebastián on August 1. Narváez had a strong showing in the Giro d'Italia earlier this year, winning three stages before withdrawing due to injury. His past performances in the Vuelta include a retirement in 2021 and a 50th-place finish in 2024.

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Returning to La Vuelta represents a special challenge because of the significance that race had at the beginning of my career. I arrive motivated to close the season with another great result and I am confident that the potential of my team will allow us to fight for the title.