“He has a good reason to be there” - Bruyneel certain Tadej Pogacar will race the 2026 Vuelta a Espana
CyclingSaturday, 18 July 2026 at 13:00
The prospect of Tadej Pogacar riding the 2026 Vuelta a España has gathered serious momentum in the middle of the Tour de France. Although UAE Team Emirates-XRG has yet to confirm his late-season programme, comments by Prince Albert II of Monaco and the Slovenian’s own reaction have fueled speculation.
For Johan Bruyneel and Spencer Martin, analysts on Lance Armstrong’s The Move podcast, all signs point to the Tour’s current leader starting the Spanish Grand Tour.
Before that potential bombshell, Bruyneel stressed this was not officially confirmed by UAE Team Emirates-XRG, but rather a strong hint. He explained the spark came from remarks by Prince Albert II of Monaco, a close acquaintance of the Slovenian, with whom Pogacar has shared several public appearances in recent weeks.
“It seems Prince Albert gave an interview and let slip that Tadej Pogačar will ride the Vuelta a España. It’s not confirmed, but it very much looks that way,” Bruyneel said.
Pogacar’s own reaction did little to dampen the rumours. Asked about those comments, the yellow jersey replied with a smile and a line that, for Bruyneel, speaks volumes.
“When he was asked about the prince’s words, he answered: ‘Well, if the prince says so, there’s a good chance.’”
Read also
Bruyneel believes all roads lead to the Vuelta
For the former sports director, that exchange is virtually an unofficial confirmation. There is no team announcement yet, but he feels the signals are too strong to ignore: “The most likely scenario is that we’ll see Pogacar at the Vuelta a España this year.”
He also noted a not-so-minor detail: the Spanish race will start in Monaco, the Tour champion’s place of residence: “The race starts in Monaco, so he already has a compelling reason to be there.”
Spencer Martin went even further. In his view, Pogacar’s competitive nature makes it hard to imagine him skipping a Grand Tour if he feels good. He said: “If there’s a race, he wants to be in it. He’s not the type to let chances pass.”
The American analyst also reminded that the Vuelta is one of the few major targets still missing from the Slovenian’s exceptional palmarès: “He has to win the Vuelta at some point, so it makes sense to seize this opportunity.”
Tadej Pogacar remains leader of the Tour de France
World Championships a decisive factor
One major argument against his start was the proximity of the World Championships. Bruyneel, however, does not see the two objectives as incompatible: "He can absolutely do both. He can ride the Vuelta and still arrive ready for the Worlds.”
He did, however, add an important caveat: the final call will depend on how the Tour de France ends: “It all depends on how the Tour finishes.”
Bruyneel recalled last season’s precedent, when the physical and mental toll made even considering a third major target impossible. He said: “If you’d asked him after last year’s Tour whether he wanted to do the Vuelta, he would’ve said no way. He was completely drained mentally.”
The current situation, however, is very different. Pogačar is controlling the race with authority, has avoided major setbacks, and looks to have reserves left. Martin agrees. In his view, if the Slovenian maintains his level from the Tour’s first two weeks, he will have the energy to take on a new challenge.
Read also
Pogacar would boost Vuelta
“I think he’ll be fine," he said. He also argues that the Tour winner’s presence would be a major boost for a Vuelta that in recent years has missed a global headliner. He said: “It’s fantastic for the race. The Vuelta needs a rider like Pogačar.”
If his participation is confirmed, both analysts see the Slovenian as the clear favourite. Martin points to another showdown with Primož Roglič as the main sporting draw: “We’d get another battle between Primož Roglič and Tadej Pogačar. It would be spectacular.”
Bruyneel also believes the pool of riders able to threaten him is very small. He said: “Roglič deserves huge respect for everything he’s achieved.”
In short, the episode leaves a clear takeaway. There is no official statement yet from UAE Team Emirates-XRG, but both Johan Bruyneel and Spencer Martin read the recent clues as pointing one way: Tadej Pogačar is much closer to riding the Vuelta a España than it seemed a week ago. The prince’s inadvertent reveal, the rider’s own response, and his commanding form at the Tour make that scenario increasingly likely.
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.
claps 0visitors 0
Just in
Popular news
Latest comments
- I would like to see a Mathieu vs Mads showdown on stage 17, like we've had at Gent-Wevelgem. And then on stage 21 Pogačar can join in and why not Remco too.
Rafionain-Glas18-07-2026 - All valid points. Only problem is, everyone else looks more worn out (except Florian Lipowitz, who hasn't ridden to his fullest in order to protect cry-baby Remco's GC ambitions)Rafionain-Glas18-07-2026
- Armstrong is repulsive. The fact that he doped is bad enough but what really makes him a terrible person is how he attacked some really good people in cycling. Just ask Frankie and Betsy Andrew, Greg LeMond and Emma O'Reilly how he made their lives miserable so he could perpetuate his lie that he was clean. Those are just a few names on the list of people he bullied and/or went after with his lawyers to silence the truth. Even if he hadn’t doped, he is not someone I would ever want to know.
Rggg18-07-2026 - Roglič will fall out of GC, go in the breakaway and get caughtRafionain-Glas18-07-2026
- Answer: He doesn't look himself in the mirror and never has. Have you seen how grimy his face is?Rafionain-Glas18-07-2026
- How can this guy look himself in the mirror? He admitted doping 7 tdf titles and still says he has the record? What a clown. How come he has such visibility and importance in cycling, when he did so bad to the sport? Thousands must have stopped following cycling when this came outLobz7718-07-2026
- Who was gifted what exactly?
Andrew18-07-2026 - Great win for the Aussie team. Brings a bit of life into the race.whit2pet18-07-2026
- They said the same thing last year..
leedorney18-07-2026 - Maybe he has a key role in the plan for the third week that Visma have been talking of.Hills3318-07-2026
Loading
1 Comments