The Vuelta a España remains one of the few races that Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) hasn’t won yet, but he’s suggested how a change to the calendar could speed up the process of him returning to the Spanish Grand Tour, which he podiumed on debut six years ago.
Taking place in September since it moved 30 years ago, the Vuelta arrives after the Tour de France and usually before the World Championships, making it a difficult goal for Pogačar to target as he searches for a fifth Tour and third rainbow jersey in succession in 2026.
Before 1995, the Vuelta used to run at a similar time to the Giro d’Italia around May, but the Slovenian thinks a complete swap could be beneficial not only to him, but also when it comes to the racing conditions. Recent years have seen extreme heat in Spain at times significantly affecting the riders, but also extreme cold, wet and snow sometimes getting in the way of the Giro’s planned route – such as the 16th stage of Pogačar’s victory in 2024.
Pogačar is currently in Gran Canaria for the 365 event and to ride Sunday’s Gran Fondo Pico de las Nieves as part of the island’s Bike Week. After sitting down for breakfast with partner and fellow pro rider Urška Žigart, the Slovenian had time for a short press moment, where unsurprisingly, the Vuelta was a hot topic for the Spanish journalists.
“It’s always hard to combine with the Tour and Vuelta. I always say if they switch with Giro, Vuelta and Giro would be much better in terms of weather and riders going to each race,” said Pogačar to Cyclingnews and a small group of media.
Pogačar hasn’t been at the Vuelta since 2019 when he announced himself to the Grand Tour stage with three stage wins and a podium finish behind compatriot Primož Roglič and Spaniard Alejandro Valverde.
While he was heavily rumoured to race it in 2024, he opted against doing it after the Tour and instead returned at the Canadian duo of races in Québec and Montreal, before defending his world title in Rwanda.
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