“Riding with him at La Vuelta is incredible” - Pablo Torres gets his first Grand Tour experience next to Tadej Pogacar
Cycling
Pablo Torres faces one of the most special moments of his still brief career this Saturday. The young Spanish rider debuts at the 2026 Vuelta a España with UAE Team Emirates - XRG, and he does so with a weighty mission: work for Tadej Pogacar and help the Slovenian seize the red jersey in Granada.
For Torres, making the Emirati squad’s lineup for La Vuelta fulfills a dream that began long before he turned professional. The Spaniard recalls following the race as a child and watching on television the riders he now shares a peloton with.
“For me it’s a dream to be back here at La Vuelta a España. It’s something I watched on TV since I was little, always seeing my idols, the ones who inspired me. Now being here is a source of pride,” Torres told Teledeporte before the start.
The excitement grows further with the chance to live this experience alongside Pogacar. One of the Spaniard’s main tasks will be to support the outright favorite for overall victory, in a race that also offers a top-level learning opportunity.
“Also, being next to Tadej and helping him try to win it, truth is it’s incredible for me. I’m living a dream,” he admitted.
Pablo Torres, ciclista de UAE Team Emirates XRG.
Learning and enjoying alongside the top favorite
Torres does not arrive at La Vuelta chasing an individual target. Although the route includes stages that could suit his profile, the young rider is clear that his priority will be to serve the team and use each day to gain experience.
“No, overall, the whole race excites me. I want to take it day by day, learning and, above all, enjoying it a lot,” he said.
The Spaniard knows UAE lines up with one of the big favorites for the red jersey. Pogacar tackles the race aiming to complete his palmarès in an event he has yet to win, and every member of the team will play a key role in protecting him and controlling the race.
“Obviously he’s the best in the world, he has a great chance of wearing the red jersey, so we’re all going to try to give our maximum so he can take the victory,” Torres stated.
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Riding alongside the four-time Tour de France winner is also a unique opportunity for a rider still taking his first steps in the WorldTour. Torres admits he has not had many chances to race with Pogacar yet, so this Vuelta will be an especially valuable experience.
“I haven’t been able to race many events with him so far, but being here with him at La Vuelta a España is incredible for me,” he highlighted.
Thus, Torres approaches his first Grand Tour with the highest demands, but also with the enthusiasm of someone aware he is facing a chance that could shape his career. The Spaniard wants to complete the three weeks, learn from his teammates, and contribute to UAE’s collective goal.
“After this, I think I’ll come out completely changed. In the end it’s a very big race and I’m really eager to finish it already,” he concluded.
Juan LarraCycling Journalist
Juan Larra is a writer for Cyclinguptodate and editor-in-chief of Ciclismoaldia, where he has played a central role since its inception. Under his leadership, the website has become a trusted source for professional cycling coverage, offering in-depth analysis, news, and feature stories.
A sports journalist with over 20 years of experience, Juan earned his degree in Journalism from the University of Seville in 2007. He began his career covering a wide range of sports—including football, basketball, Formula 1, MotoGP, tennis, and cycling—for platforms such as the official La Liga app, Vodafone and Movistar websites, NBA Blogdebasket, and Cadena Cope, honing his skills in writing and editorial management.
In addition to his work at Ciclismoaldia, Juan contributes to Cyclinguptodate and serves as editor-in-chief for the tennis-focused site Tenisaldia. Throughout his career, he has conducted exclusive interviews with cyclists and sports figures, provided detailed analysis of competitions ranging from local Spanish races to major international events, and acted as a special correspondent at prestigious races including Paris-Roubaix, the Tour de France, and the Vuelta a España.
Juan’s combination of experience, expertise, and direct access to athletes has established him—and the platforms he leads—as authoritative voices in professional cycling.
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- I agree, Johan Bruyneel made big mistakes, he was involved in the biggest doping scandal in the history of sports... BUT NEVERTHELESS... Bruyneels analysis on bike racing and cyclists is among the best. That's a fact... period!!! I love listening to Spencer Martin and Johan on WEDU, but I don't care about Armstrong and Hincapie. They are both american bull shi***s who like to exaggerate and talk nonsense.PogiSloFans13-11-2026
- the headline is poorly written too. it makes it sound like their plan is to simply wait until he stops.mij13-11-2026
- It doesnt take a genius to understand that Pogi is 1 level above and Pogi is younger that Jonas, so Jonas will not win under ordinary circumstances. Pogi has to crack hard for Jonas to win. It doesn't matter whether you defend Jonas or not , facts remain facts. Jonas himself says his numbers are better than 2022/2023, so Jonas is more or less optimized and we are just see the stochastic variation due to other factors. I think he will retire along with Pedersen in WC denmarkabstractengineer13-11-2026
- They only raced each other during the 2026 Tour, but here's a few metrics to look at. Stage 3 (Granollers to Les Angles): Pogačar won the stage, finishing 2 seconds ahead of Vingegaard (2nd). Del Toro finished 24 seconds behind Stage 6 (Pau to Gavarnie-Gedre / Col du Tourmalet): Pogačar won solo, Vingegaard finished 2nd (losing 2:38), and Del Toro finished 3rd (at +2:57, finishing 19 seconds behind Vingegaard). Here, Jonas Vingegaard outclimbed Isaac del Toro by 19 seconds on the mountain stageawp13-11-2026
- your clinging to the past. Jonas was dropped by del toro many times last year and jonas never managed a climbing numers del toro did in dauphine last year -entire year. Trend is also evident theres no discussion your living in the past, its beent he same with jonas for many years now and only developing, meanwhile del toro is rising and developing greatly. This is all obvious stuff and im not even a del toro fan. No point discussing numbers or this i suspect you dont watch much now but rather think its 2022 still cause this aint hard.miguel13-11-2026
- We can go through metrics if you like, Del Toro, who I do admire and support, is not on the same level as Jonas just yet. You will see that in early 2027 if they have any crossover races. I do hope they both race the Giro. You are correct though, Jonas is getting older and will not be able to hand on much longer. I see 2027 as a good year for him. Obviously behind Tadej though.awp13-11-2026
- What wins? Are you LA operating under a pseudonym?mij13-11-2026
- My point is this - Tadej, Remco, Seixas are all the outliers. Many riders don’t hit their peak until 28. It’s way too early to write him off. And the pogi slo guy that hates him - he’s also immature. Ayuso needs time.mij13-11-2026
- Then you need to use ur eyes or head if you have cause del toro already dropped jonas two times and beat him in tdf stages already this year.. Del toro climbed(dauphine) better numbers than jonas did all year too. So ur feelings and wishful thinking doesnt amtter del toro himself has already surpassed jonas infact just facts. Its also very evident for anyone objective that Jonas is declining alot, its just the truth and super obvious.miguel13-11-2026
- None of those victories stand, so there's that,wrsty13-11-2026
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