OFFICIAL: Tadej Pogacar will ride the 2026 Vuelta a Espana as UAE Team Emirates- XRG rider set for return
Cycling
Tadej Pogacar will ride the 2026 Vuelta a España, ending speculation of the UAE Team Emirates -XRG leader's long-awaited return to the Spanish Grand Tour as he looks to make it a Tour-Vuelta double.
UAE confirmed the news on Monday, announcing that Pogacar will lead the team alongside Joao Almeida. Marking the first time Pogacar returns to the race since 2019, the team said: "It’s true - he’s coming back."
Pogacar won the Tour de France last month in dominant fashion, equaling the record for five general classification wins and smashing the climbing record of Alpe d'Huez on stage 19.
Pogacar aims for Tour-Vuelta double
As the Slovenian marched to the yellow jersey, speculation rose of his Vuelta plans as both rider and team refused to rule out a return to the Spanish Grand Tour, which started in Pogacar's current residence in Monaco.
The world champion rode his first-ever Grand Tour at the 2019 Vuelta, winning three stages and finishing in third on the podium, but as his maiden Tour de France victory came the following year, he hasn't returned to the race.
The 2026 edition of La Vuelta begins in Monaco before the race makes its way to Andorra, then Northern Spain, and down to Andalusia in the south. With over 58,000 meters of climbing, seven summit finishes and two time trials, Pogacar will now be the big favourite to win his first red jersey.
Speculation of his participation came with the debate around whether it would interrupt one of his major season goals: winning a third World Championships in a row. With the Vuelta beginning on August 22nd and finishing on September 13th, it leaves a short window for recovery.
Tadej Pogacar at the 2026 Tour de France
Evenepoel, van Aert and possibly Vingegaard to rival Pogacar
The Montreal showpiece sees Pogacar face the likes of Remco Evenepoel and Wout van Aert on September 27th. Another rival who could be at the start line is Jonas Vingegaard, eying a return after his Tour crash that left him with a broken collarbone.
When quizzed about his potential return to racing, the topic of the World Championships is something Vingegaard hasn't ruled out.
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“I actually don’t know yet; it depends on how the collarbone reacts, and how it heals, and how it recovers. It’s not out of the question for me, but I also don’t want to say now that it’s going to happen.”
Vingegaard hasn't been a prolific one-day rider throughout his career and has never ridden the World Championships road race at elite level, with his last outing being in the under-23 race in 2018.
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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- I live in Maribor.PogiSloFans14-11-2026
- I live in Ljubljana and often go on trips in the surrounding area, where I frequently see young cyclists in 'Pogi Team' jerseys training, either alone or in groups. By simply motivating so many young people to take up cycling, Tadej has already achieved something truly significant.Velijo14-11-2026
- That's an excellent point. It's interesting that Vader came to that realization only after he learned that his contract wasn't going to be renewed.
santiagobenites14-11-2026 - Indeed! A reluctant gift maybe. Even more reluctant gift from Roglic! Tho I can’t see that Rog would have beaten Ving anyway.Lozza14-11-2026
- That really nasty crash in 2022 Liege must have played a big part - broken ribs, pneumothorax. You only have to look at his points tallies pre and post.Lozza14-11-2026
- Yeah, good luck getting tv and race organisers like ASO etc to part with their cash!Lozza14-11-2026
- 36 and Ineos have bought a rider on the downward slope. Bring back Dave and Rob who could manage the team. How are Ineos going to win a grand tour with people past their sell by date.paultryan200214-11-2026
- Mmmm would he be making these comments when he was on the richest team when riding. I think not i suspect. If we want money put into the sport we need sponsors who are prepared to put the money in. No disrespect but his team are 2nd or 3rd div in football terms with riders over the hill or 2nd string riders. If i was a sponsor i would be looking at what publicity am i getting back and Tudor really are just making up the numbers really.paultryan200214-11-2026
- I see (elsewhere) that Alaphilippe had more to say than what got relayed in this stub. Me: he was very good early but his latter third trajectory was the pits. His old boss did what he could (huffed and puffed) but Julian couldn't get his greatness back. Sometimes I wonder if crashes that didn't look like much changed the course of the rider.flyer14-11-2026
- I wouldn't classify it as a gift because the nasty consequences of taking it from Sepp would have been great and would persist and he knew it.flyer14-11-2026
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