Pogacar in green? One of La Vuelta's top sprinters would not be surprised to see it happen
CyclingSaturday, 22 August 2026 at 14:45
Kaden Groves takes to the start of the Vuelta a España as one of the sprinters to watch. The Australian has, in his previous three participations, won seven stages, and may contest for the green jersey which he's won on half of his participations in the Spanish Grand Tour. But aside from the obvious rivals, he wouldn't be surprised to see Tadej Pogacar in the mix as well.
Groves wouldn't be surprised to see Tadej Pogacar contest green jersey
"One stage win for me would be great, but we're also looking at the green jersey, although it'll be difficult," Groves said ahead of the race, as reported by Cyclingnews.
Groves leads Alpecin-Premier Tech in a race that has been favourable to him in the past. Seven stage wins and two green jerseys in four participations make for a success rate that few others can brag about. In the bunch sprints he will be a threat, but 2026 has not treated him kindly.
A knee injury knocked him out of action in early March, and Groves started the Giro d'Italia where he only finished three stages before withdrawing. At the Tour de Suisse: two stages. Groves has not finished a stage-race since February whilst his most recent outing, at the ADAC Cyclassics Hamburg, saw him finish in a non-inspirational 100th place.
Stage 2 of the Vuelta features a rough finale in Manosque, one where a sprint is expected however. But Groves does not necessarily expect to be in the mix for the win. "It's been an up-and-down year, but I wouldn't be here if I wasn't in some sort of level and stage 5 being maybe the first real sprint stage that should give me a chance to ride into it."
Contenders for the green jersey are obvious, with Mads Pedersen having Matthew Brennan and also Wout Van Aert of Visma to challenge him. But in such a difficult race, packed with mountainous and hilly stages, Tadej Pogacar could be up there too. "A lot of the intermediates are towards the ends of stages so it's something that Tadej could be collecting along the way, too," Groves warns.
Kaden Groves heads into La Vuelta as the leader of Alpecin-Premier Tech
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Groves leads a modest Alpecin
The 27-year old is likely to depart Alpecin at the end of the year, joining Arnaud de Lie as star signings for Tudor Pro Cycling Team. The Belgian team has brought many of its climbers and classics riders to the Vuelta, whilst Groves will also be given a leading role - albeit with modest support for the terrain he usually thrives in.
"The leadout's fine, I've got Sente [Sentjens] and Lindsay [De Vylder], it's their first Grand Tour so it's a good opportunity for both of them as well," he explains.
"Then around them there's a few experienced guys like Michael Gogl for the early part, then we have the second part of the team being climbing support like Hugo [Houle], Gal [Glivar], Francesco [Busatto] and again Michael. So I think we've got chances on all sides."
Rúben SilvaEditor-in-Chief
A founding contributor to CyclingUpToDate since its launch in January 2022, Ruben Silva has played a central role in shaping the site’s editorial direction and long-term growth. Before joining the project, he built his experience through independent blogging at Echelons Hub and by producing race previews for Ciclismo Internacional, developing a strong analytical voice rooted in daily engagement with professional cycling.
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Originally from the Porto metropolitan area in Portugal, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography. His path into cycling journalism was shaped not through formal media training, but through independent reporting, community engagement, and sustained on-the-ground involvement in the sport.
Over the course of his career, he has conducted approximately 100 interviews across road cycling and cyclocross, ranging from one-to-one conversations and online formats to press conferences and on-site pre- and post-race coverage. His interviews include leading riders, team managers, and prominent figures within cycling media: Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, Mathieu van der Poel, Primoz Roglic, Wout van Aert, Joao Almeida and Tom Pidcock; managers like Patrick Lefevere and Joxean Matxin; and YouTube personality Bryan Kennedy (BKXC)...
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- Grischa left mid season, coaches left mid sesaon many riders left mid contact all these is nothing to aknowlegdge all these things are a matter of a fact. This TDF Visma was incredible weak too so easy to see and so bad for jonas all tour untill he crashes, im sorry but i doubt you watch much cycling if you cant aknowledge that visma is getting worse alot now. They cant keep up with rbh and lidl like the owner has said so if you cant aknowledge these things im sorry but your not worth talking much to as i dont think you watch that much cycling then hehe. Its just a matter of facts all these things i mentioned im sorry wish you all the bestmiguel22-08-2026
- hopefully they do cause they need something I think we can agree on that that the trend is not in their favour last years. Ballerini is decent my problem hes another sprinter doesnt really help jonas at all. But hopefully they can sign someone really good that would be good but i doubt they have the needs but lets see.miguel22-08-2026
- fingers crossed!Ketterechts22-08-2026
- I have feeling that Tarling may be gifted the stage out of respect for the death of his brother.paultryan200222-08-2026
- Still trying to be relevantslappers6622-08-2026
- Even when he is trying to be nice he can be insulting. "Before that, he had launched an attack on Montmartre that typified the final years of his career: poorly timed, unconvincing, quickly caught again. You could feel and see it in everything: he's finished." Although they did have some amazing years together. JA and Quick-Step were the best for a short period.mij22-08-2026
- I won’t acknowledge it nor do I see it. They have marquee riders and the epitome of professionally cycling with their best practices. They have vets and WVA and JV and up and coming talent like Matthew Brennan.mij22-08-2026
- they are rumored to be signing Davide Ballerini, another GT stage winner. can’t be that bad.mij22-08-2026
- Too easy 😂😂anonymouscyclist22-08-2026
- The only rider I’ll be watching today is Tarling. He and his family are still in my thoughts, and I know he’ll give it his absolute best for his brother. You have the entirety of the UK (and probably many other countries) behind you right now, Josh, proud no matter what position you cross the line in. #ForFinanonymouscyclist22-08-2026
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