Pogacar to the Vuelta? UAE seemingly confirms “the Vuelta is on his program”

UAE Team Emirates – XRG have confirmed that the Vuelta a España is part of Tadej Pogacar’s race calendar this year, though a final decision will be made after the Tour de France. Pogacar, who leads the 2025 Tour after five stages, appears poised for another historic campaign.

“The Vuelta is on his program,” team principal Mauro Gianetti told Velo. “Let’s see what happens at the Tour, but normally the Vuelta is on the program.”

Pogacar last raced the Spanish Grand Tour in 2019, his debut in a three-week race, where he stunned many by finishing third and winning three stages. Six years later, he returns with a vastly different résumé, including victories at the Giro d’Italia and Tour de France in 2024, making him the first rider since Marco Pantani in 1998 to achieve that double.

This year, he’s potentially aiming to tick the Vuelta off of the list, after winning the Tour. And his Tour performance so far suggests he’s not fading. UAE Team Emirates have been strong in the first week, and Pogacar is in yellow.

“Things have been going well, the team is strong and committed,” Gianetti said. “Some were saying this was a Tour de France like 20 years ago for the sprinters, but the first four stages were really challenging and we are seeing big differences. Tadej is feeling good.”

After the Tour and a possible Vuelta campaign, Pogacar also has his eye on defending his rainbow jersey at the World Championships in Rwanda. With a course built for climbers, the terrain may again favor the reigning champion. Whether or not he takes on the triple, Pogacar’s 2025 season is already shaping up as one for the history books.