Pogacar Targets Vuelta Crown to Complete Grand Tour Treble

Tadej Pogacar, the five-time Tour de France champion, will ride the 2026 Vuelta a España beginning in Monaco on 22 August and finishing in Granada on 13 September. A victory would make him the ninth rider to win all three of Europe’s major three-week stage races and only the fourth rider to claim a Tour-Vuelta double in the same season.

Pogacar favourite for Vuelta with Grand Tour treble in sight The National NewsBozeman Daily Chronicle2026 Vuelta a España start list "The best cyclist in history" - Alberto Contador praises Tadej Pogacar and sees no rivals for his Vuelta title pursuit

Pogacar entered the Vuelta after a season that saw him win five Tour de France stages, the overall Tour title, and six WorldTour races (including Milano-San Remo, Strade Bianche and the Tour of Flanders). The 2026 route covers roughly 3 275 km with more than 58 000 m of climbing, seven summit finishes and two individual time trials (a 9.4-km technical test in Monaco and a 32-km test in Cádiz). The first decisive mountain stage is expected on 30 August at the Alto de Aitana summit finish.

Bozeman Daily Chronicle

The calendar was deliberately kept “pretty straightforward” and “we omitted the altitude training” to preserve “mental freshness” after the Tour. Swart added that the team’s aim is simply to focus on completing the race rather than chase spectacular performances.

'The Vuelta is going to be arduous, even for Tadej' – UAE performance head warns that nobody, not even Pogacar, will have it easy this summer in Spain

With Jonas Vingegaard out after a broken collarbone, the remaining GC contenders include four-time Vuelta winner Primož Roglic, Austrian climber Felix Gall, Ecuadorian former champion Richard Carapaz, British youngster Oscar Onley and Spanish veteran Enric Mas. Roglic’s preparation was disrupted by a training-road collision, while Carapaz and Gall have shown strong form in recent stage races.

ANALYSIS - Tadej Pogacar's five main rivals standing between him and Vuelta a España glory as UAE leader looks to make history

Vuelta director Javier Guillén called Pogacar a “legend of world sport” whose participation will make the event “even more spectacular” and attract greater media attention.

"The difference in potential between Pogacar and the rest is what it is, but he's a legend" - Vuelta director explains why races want UAE rider despite domination

Securing the Vuelta would give Pogacar the historic “triple crown” of Grand Tours, cementing his status among the sport’s all-time greats and boosting the commercial profile of his team. The race’s start in Monaco—Pogacar’s seasonal home—adds a personal narrative, while the demanding route promises a decisive early battle that could shape the season’s final rankings and influence rider contracts and sponsorships.

Bozeman Daily Chronicle

• “There's not a lot of time, so there's not a lot you can do; it's pretty straightforward,” — Jeroen Swart, team performance director

The National News

• “His physical preparation was focused on July, as it should be, in that sense the Vuelta comes simply as an add-on,” — Jeroen Swart, team performance director

'The Vuelta is going to be arduous, even for Tadej' – UAE performance head warns that nobody, not even Pogacar, will have it easy this summer in Spain

• “This Vuelta is just full on all the way through," Swart says.” — Jeroen Swart, team performance director

'The Vuelta is going to be arduous, even for Tadej' – UAE performance head warns that nobody, not even Pogacar, will have it easy this summer in Spain

• “I don't think there's going to be anything that's a revelation," Swart says.” — Jeroen Swart, team performance director

'The Vuelta is going to be arduous, even for Tadej' – UAE performance head warns that nobody, not even Pogacar, will have it easy this summer in Spain

• “I expect a Vuelta that's exciting right to the end, as is always our wish. We have a very challenging and varied route, dominated by mountains, which is very much to the spectator's liking,” — Javier Guillén

"The difference in potential between Pogacar and the rest is what it is, but he's a legend" - Vuelta director explains why races want UAE rider despite domination

• “I don't think so. Well, it depends on what we mean by excitement. If the excitement lies in knowing who's going to win, then it's true that Tadej Pogacar has a very good chance and leaves less room for the other riders,” — Alberto Contador

"The best cyclist in history" - Alberto Contador praises Tadej Pogacar and sees no rivals for his Vuelta title pursuit