OPINION: Has the Vuelta been more exciting without Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard?

The 2024 Vuelta a España has undoubtedly been one of the most intriguing and unpredictable Grand Tours in recent memory. In a race often dominated by pre-race favourites, this year has brought a refreshing change of pace, challenging the conventional wisdom of what makes a race truly exciting.

The absence of Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard, two of the sport’s biggest stars, has left a significant void. But has it detracted from the spectacle, or has it given us something even more thrilling?

When Primož Roglič seized the red jersey after a dominant performance on stage 4, many predicted that the race would become a procession to Madrid, with the Slovenian superstar adding yet another Grand Tour to his glittering palmarès. On paper, Roglič was the strongest rider in the peloton, especially in the absence of Pogačar, Vingegaard, and Remco Evenepoel, who all chose to skip this year’s Vuelta. Without these heavyweights, and barring a Roglic crash, the narrative seemed set: Roglič would coast to victory, unchallenged and unthreatened.

But cycling is a sport where the unexpected often reigns supreme, and stage 5 turned the race on its head. Ben O’Connor, an immensely talented rider but not one of the pre-race favourites, launched a bold attack that earned him over five minutes and, with it, the red jersey. In a race with Pogačar or Vingegaard, it’s hard to imagine such a move being allowed to succeed. Their teams would have almost certainly shut it down, protecting their leaders from losing crucial time. But with their absence, the race was wide open, allowing O’Connor to seize his moment.

It’s no exaggeration to say that the rivalry between Pogačar and Vingegaard has been the defining narrative of the last three editions of the Tour de France. Their head-to-head battles have already become legendary, with each rider pushing the other to superhuman feats. Their rivalry has brought a level of excitement and unpredictability to the sport that was sorely needed. Pogačar, the prodigious talent who seemed poised to dominate for years to come, met his match in Vingegaard, a quiet but relentless competitor who emerged as the only rider capable of challenging the Slovenian’s supremacy.

Their duels have produced some of the most memorable moments in recent cycling history. Whether it was Vingegaard’s stunning attack on Mont Ventoux in 2021, where he distanced Pogačar and signalled the beginning of their rivalry, or the back-and-forth exchanges in the mountains of the Pyrenees and Alps in subsequent Tours, these two riders have elevated the sport to new heights. It’s no wonder that many cycling fans were disappointed to see them absent from this year’s Vuelta.

Without their explosive attacks and relentless pace-setting, the 2024 Vuelta has lacked the kind of fireworks we’ve come to expect in the Tour. Pogačar’s ability to launch devastating attacks that only Vingegaard can follow is something that has become almost synonymous with modern Grand Tours. Their absence has certainly left a void in that regard.

But perhaps we’ve become too accustomed to the Pogačar-Vingegaard spectacle. The 2024 Vuelta a España has shown us a different side of Grand Tour racing, one that is no less compelling. The race has been marked by tactical battles, strategic gambles, and a level of unpredictability that has kept fans on the edge of their seats.

Roglič, despite being the pre-race favourite, has been forced to race cunningly rather than simply overpowering his rivals. After the bizarre tactics of Red Bull Bora-Hansgrohe on stage 5 left him with a significant deficit to O’Connor, Roglič has methodically chipped away at the Australian’s lead. His strategy has been one of patience and precision, never overexerting himself but always staying within striking distance. Over the past few stages, he’s clawed back over five minutes and is now just five seconds behind O’Connor, with several mountain stages and a time trial still to come. It’s a masterclass in intelligent racing, proving that Roglič is far from finished as a Grand Tour contender.

And then there’s O’Connor, the underdog who has captured the hearts of cycling fans around the world. His defence of the red jersey has been nothing short of heroic. Time and again, he’s been distanced on the climbs, only to fight back and limit the damage, refusing to relinquish his lead without a fight. His performances have been a testament to grit, determination, and the belief that anything is possible in Grand Tour racing. Regardless of whether he holds on to the red jersey until Madrid, O’Connor has been the standout performer of this Vuelta, proving that you don’t need to be a pre-race favourite to shine on the biggest stage.

The absence of Pogačar and Vingegaard has also allowed other riders to step into the spotlight. Richard Carapaz, Enric Mas, and Mikel Landa (before his unfortunate time loss on yesterday’s stage) have all shown that they are still among the best in the world, each producing brilliant performances that have kept the race wide open. Without the shadow of Pogačar and Vingegaard looming large, these riders have had the freedom to race for victory, rather than simply fighting for the best of the rest.

For pure cycling fans, this Vuelta has been a reminder of what makes the sport so special. While Pogačar and Vingegaard’s rivalry is undoubtedly the biggest draw in the sport right now, their absence has allowed the race to develop a different kind of narrative, one that is no less engaging.

This year’s Vuelta has had it all: an underdog in the lead, a three-time champion chasing him down, and a host of other riders still in with a genuine shot at the podium as the race enters its final stages. It’s been a race of twists and turns, where nothing has been certain, and every stage has brought new drama. In many ways, it’s been a purer form of competition, where tactics, strategy, and sheer willpower have taken center stage.

Of course, we all love to watch the best in the world go head-to-head, and there’s no doubt that a Vuelta with Pogačar and Vingegaard would have been a spectacle to behold. But in their absence, we’ve been treated to something different, something that has reminded us why we fell in love with this sport in the first place.

So, has the Vuelta been better off without Pogačar and Vingegaard? The answer, in many ways, is subjective. If you crave the explosive attacks and epic duels that have defined recent Tours de France, then perhaps this Vuelta has felt like it’s missing something. But if you appreciate the nuances of tactical racing, the thrill of the unexpected, and the joy of watching new stars emerge, then this Vuelta has been every bit as exciting as any race in recent memory.

In the end, cycling is a sport of endless possibilities, where anything can happen and anyone can win. This year’s Vuelta a España has been a celebration of that unpredictability, and for that, it’s been a race to remember—Pogačar and Vingegaard or not.