From a horror crash, Tour de France selection snub to infections and illness - Five riders who will try to salvage their seasons at the Vuelta a Espana
CyclingFriday, 14 August 2026 at 14:00
The Vuelta a Espana is often considered the last stop for some riders to salvage success during the season. Being the last full helping of stage racing of the year, many riders arrive at the start off the back of missed goals or disrupted campaigns. The 2026 Vuelta will be no different.
Tadej Pogacar may have made the late decision to participate in the Grand Tour off the back of Tour de France glory, but there are several others who will take to the Monaco start line with a chip on their shoulders.
From horror crashes derailing their summer and stomach-related illnesses haunting them during the Tour de France to their teams changing plans last minute to end their Tour goals, the Vuelta is an opportunity for some riders to put disappointment behind them.
We've taken a close look at five riders who are set to start the Vuelta a Espana off the back of 2026 season disappointments as they seek to salvage success on the Spanish Grand Tour.
Oscar Onley
INEOS opened up the cheque-book over winter to entice Oscar onley away from Picnic PostNL with grand ambitions of challenging for a Tour de France podium. However, even the best laid-out plans can be scuppered.
The British rider was all set for the Tour de France before he suffered a horror crash at the Tour Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, almost falling down a ravine but for a tree breaking his fall. The incident unfortunately ended his Tour build-up and led to him taking the scenic route through the rest of the season as he raced the Vuelta a Burgos before the Vuelta.
5th place at the Volta ao Algarve and 2nd at Burgos last week are serious results, but with his major season target absent, Onley will be determined to pay off his investment with a strong Vuelta performance.
Thibau Nys
Thibau Nys
The Lidl-Trek rider is set to make his return at La Vuelta, and with just seven race days this year all coming in June, the Belgian has yet to hit his stride in 2026.
Nys underwent surgery in March for prepatellar friction syndrome - known as 'cyclist's knee - as well as a long rehabilitation to return to action in June - competing in the Tour de Suisse, GP Gippingen and the Belgian National Championships.
With Clasica San Sebastian and the Vuelta a Espana in full view, Nys had been struck by an infection called toxoplasmosis. An infectious disease that is caught by eating raw meat or unwashed vegetables, it causes a mild fever and fatigue.
The Vuelta suits Nys' attributes, and if he's to show up in good form, the parcours offers an array of opportunities for the 23-year-old to salvage some 2026 success.
Max Poole
The British rider makes his return to racing at La Vuelta, likely putting an injury-disrupted 2026 behind him after not racing for six months by the time he takes the start in Monaco.
Since February, Picnic PostNL had been anxiously awaiting the racing return of its GC leader. The young Brit was expected to pick up the baton from departing Oscar Onley, however he's only completed the Volta ao Algarve before taking a forced break from racing.
With the 23-year-old capable of challenging for a top ten, Poole can salvage success for both he and the Dutch team - who are in need of a UCI points boost in Spain.
Cian Uijtdebroeks has had his Tour de France interrupted by illness
Cian Uijtdebroeks
The withdrawal of Cian Uijtdebroeks in the opening week of the Tour de France was a heavy blow for Movistar Team. The Belgian was the squad’s main card for the general classification, but physical issues forced a premature exit.
The Spanish Grand Tour will be a key opportunity for the rider, the marquee signing has put a stomach virus behind him after abandoning the Tour de France. With his form pre-Tour offering significant hopes for the future, Uijtdebroeks can set the record straight next week.
He had scored top tens at the Tour Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes and the Volta a Catalunya in preparation for the Tour, and if he has recovered as planned, he should be well within the top ten fight come September.
Carlos Rodriguez
Perhaps the most interesting of the riders looking to prove a point at the Vuelta a Espana is Carlos Rodriguez, who missed out on the Tour de France not because of an injury or illness - but rather a team selection.
As INEOS re-shuffled their plans for La Grand Boucle away from general classification in Onley's absence, the Spaniard was omitted from the squad and re-positioned towards a Vuelta tilt despite demonstrating strong form in the months before the race.
The 25-year-old had consistently been active in WorldTour races all season as he rode Paris-Nice, Volta a Catalunya, Tour de Romandie and Tour Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes before his Tour omission - instead he was sent to the Tour of Austria in July where he finished fourth overall.
In the lead-up to the Vuelta, the 2023 Tour top five finisher has once again demonstrated steady form. However, he'll be hoping to take a forward step this month at the Vuelta and salvage some positive results.
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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