“No, no, Tadej doesn’t need my advice" - Chris Froome admits he needs to see one thing to convince him Pogacar will win Vuelta a España

Cycling
Sunday, 23 August 2026 at 09:24
Chris Froome at stage 4 of the 2026 Tour de France
Chris Froome was among the big names on the start line of the Vuelta a España 2026 in Monaco, the chosen stage for the start of a historic edition of the Spanish Grand Tour. The Briton, a four-time Tour de France winner and twice victorious at the Vuelta, weighed up the chances of Tadej Pogacar, the leading favourite to win a race that is still missing from his palmarès.
Froome did not hesitate when asked whether the Slovenian might need any advice to complete his set of Grand Tours. “No, no, Tadej doesn’t need my advice,” said the former Israel-Premier Tech rider (this year, NSN Cycling), who believes Pogacar is perfectly placed to conquer the Vuelta as well.
The Briton especially highlighted the level shown by the UAE Team Emirates-XRG leader during the Tour de France. Pogacar dominated the French race and again displayed a superiority that, according to Froome, could carry straight into the Vuelta if he holds that condition.
“He’s doing an incredible job, so I’m sure that if he doesn’t have bad luck, he’ll soon have this one in the bag,” Froome told RTVE’s microphones. The four-time Tour winner believes the main unknown is not the Slovenian’s abilities, but how he will arrive physically after a demanding Grande Boucle.

“He can join the three-Grand Tours club”

“It will be very interesting to see what Tadej can do and what kind of condition he has after the Tour de France,” he explained. It is a crucial question in a Vuelta that again serves up a testing route and will force the Slovenian to manage his effort over three weeks.
Even so, Froome pushed the forecast further. “If he has the same legs as in the Tour, he’s definitely going to win this Vuelta,” he said firmly. The Briton, who knows first-hand what it means to try to win a second Grand Tour in the same season, believes Pogacar’s level can make the difference even after the fatigue accumulated in France.
Froome also expressed his hope that Pogacar can enter a select group of riders capable of winning all three Grand Tours. The Slovenian has already won the Tour and the Giro d’Italia, so a victory in Spain would complete the coveted triple crown.

Can Pogacar join elite club?

“I hope he can join the three Grand Tours club,” said Froome, who also underlined the significance of the Vuelta starting from Monaco. The Spanish race’s presence in the Principality is a special moment and strengthens the event’s international profile.
“I’m very proud to have the Vuelta here in Monaco today. It’s a very special occasion for the Vuelta, being the first time here in Monaco,” the Briton concluded.
While Pogacar tackles the challenge of completing his palmarès, Froome will follow the race from a privileged vantage point.
His words make clear that, for a figure with his experience, the Slovenian’s main rival may be the season’s accumulated fatigue. If he keeps his Tour legs, the Briton’s prediction is unequivocal: the Vuelta could have a clear owner.
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