"Better if I don’t say anything" - Is La Vuelta's Pogacar even stronger than his Tour de France-winning version?
CyclingWednesday, 26 August 2026 at 18:47
Tadej Pogacar retains the lead of the Vuelta a España after a fifth stage that ended with a sprint win for Matthew Brennan. The Slovenian, already a two-time stage winner in this edition, endured a demanding day even though there were no changes among the overall favourites.
A nervous stage ticked off the list for Pogacar
The leader acknowledged the stage was tougher than it looked on paper, especially due to the early speed and the climb the peloton had to clear and also the echelons that threatened to break the race apart on several instances.
“No, it was still quite a hard stage. I was a bit nervous at that moment and then the climb was pretty steep. It was a tough day, but we did very well as a team and I’m happy with it,” Pogacar said after crossing the line.
On the largest climb of the day towards the finale, Pavel Sivakov led the World Champion over the top, keeping him in position to avoid crashes or splits that would put a dent into his comfortable race lead.
The UAE Team Emirates-XRG rider also underlined the value of having already opened a gap on his main rivals during this first week of racing. Although there is still a lot of Vuelta to come, Pogacar admits every second could prove decisive.
Tomorrow's stage 6 features a climb in its finale that has a 3-kilometer section at 11%, with a few kilometers also on non-paved roads. This could see the GC battle explode once again, where the red jersey may extend his lead.
“Any advantage is good, as I always say, but the more, the better. If you have a bigger buffer, you can approach the next days with more peace of mind. We’ll see".
Tadej Pogacar, leader of the Vuelta a España
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Pogacar will not ease off
Pogacar knows, however, that the race offers almost no room to relax. The fifth stage is already in the books and the Slovenian is clear that the next day will again test the GC contenders. “I feel good and tomorrow is already another hard day. You never know,” he said.
The big question remains how far his form can carry him in this Vuelta a España. After dominating the Tour de France, Pogacar now faces the challenge of sustaining an exceptional level across another Grand Tour.
Asked directly whether his current condition matches what he showed at the Tour, the leader preferred not to give anything away. “Better if I don’t say anything. Secret surprise,” he replied with a laugh.
Juan LarraCycling Journalist
Juan Larra is a writer for Cyclinguptodate and editor-in-chief of Ciclismoaldia, where he has played a central role since its inception. Under his leadership, the website has become a trusted source for professional cycling coverage, offering in-depth analysis, news, and feature stories.
A sports journalist with over 20 years of experience, Juan earned his degree in Journalism from the University of Seville in 2007. He began his career covering a wide range of sports—including football, basketball, Formula 1, MotoGP, tennis, and cycling—for platforms such as the official La Liga app, Vodafone and Movistar websites, NBA Blogdebasket, and Cadena Cope, honing his skills in writing and editorial management.
In addition to his work at Ciclismoaldia, Juan contributes to Cyclinguptodate and serves as editor-in-chief for the tennis-focused site Tenisaldia. Throughout his career, he has conducted exclusive interviews with cyclists and sports figures, provided detailed analysis of competitions ranging from local Spanish races to major international events, and acted as a special correspondent at prestigious races including Paris-Roubaix, the Tour de France, and the Vuelta a España.
Juan’s combination of experience, expertise, and direct access to athletes has established him—and the platforms he leads—as authoritative voices in professional cycling.
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Rafionain-Glas26-08-2026 - Yet your current president Nataša Pirc Musar was Melania Trumps lawyer, lol. You are conflicted beta male.
ScottG26-08-2026 - am i stupid or the report? i saw the video, wout did not ask for the sun glasses, pogi just gave them to his son. wout was authentically surprised ...Ketterechts26-08-2026
- Oh, so you like Pogi. Then I apologize. Yes, I've met him three times in Slovenia, he's my compatriot.PogiSloFans26-08-2026
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- Why the criticism, Gall can only gain time in the mountain and he will lose big time in the TT. So it is natural that his team to put the pressure on. Pogi is already discounted. If Gall misses the podium by a few seconds and he did not try , it will be too late. He has a strong team, he is using them now, later on ,might be too late.abstractengineer26-08-2026
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