"The difference in potential between Pogacar and the rest is what it is, but he's a legend" - Vuelta director explains why races want UAE rider despite domination
CyclingWednesday, 19 August 2026 at 13:14
Tadej Pogacar's Vuelta a España return is upon us as the UAE Team Emirates rider returns to the race where he made his first major breakthrough - seven years on from his debut. Six Grand Tour victories and dozens of marquee victories later, the Slovenian is favourite to complete the Spanish Grand Tour.
After several seasons of trying to entice Pogacar to Spain, the stars aligned for organisors in their bid to lure him to La Vuelta. For race director Javier Guillén, Pogacar's participation is big business.
Labelling Pogacar the purest of spectacles in the sport of cycling, Guillén hopes that fans are in for an exciting edition of the race, despite reigning champion Jonas Vingegaard not returning to defend his title. A climbing heavy route with mountains at the forefront is set to be a showcase for cycling fans.
"I expect a Vuelta that's exciting right to the end, as is always our wish. We have a very challenging and varied route, dominated by mountains, which is very much to the spectator's liking," Javier Guillén told EFE.
"Furthermore, with the great novelty of Pogacar's participation, the Vuelta will be even more spectacular. The Slovenian is a legend of world sport; he is pure spectacle and cycling in its purest form."
Tadej Pogacar
Pogacar set to dominate La Vuelta
Pogacar brings domination to the race. With his nearest challengers to the title unlikely to pose a significant challenge to the two-time world champion. However, what the race does get with Pogacar's presence is attention - and lots of it. Boosted media attention and higher amounts of fans roadside are what attracts the race organisers to push for his start.
"I was absolutely thrilled with the announcement of Pogacar's participation. It was a dream come true for the Vuelta. We always want the best, and he is the best."
He added: "The difference in potential between Pogacar and the rest is what it is, but he's a legend, and with him comes the spectacle; he's a unique rider. His presence fulfils a kind of wish we had been putting off, since he hasn't participated since his debut in 2019."
Guillén said that "Pogacar's presence is important." His mere presence ensures the race "will have greater media coverage, and also more attention from the roadside."
"We'll see how he feels after the Tour, but he starts as the clear favourite, and also as an incentive for his rivals because they'll be facing the best," he said.
Strong startlist including Wout van Aert and Primoz Roglic
"What we want from the organization is excitement until the very end, but in the end, the road decides. He dominated the Tour by a wide margin, but it was an entertaining race. I'd like to see some of Pogacar's displays of skill."
Despite Pogacar's expected domination, a varied field also includes some of cycling's biggest hiters - like Wout van Aert, Primoz Roglic, Richard Carapaz, Mads Pedersen and Enric Mas - making up for the absence of Tour de France stars like Paul Seixas and Remco Evenepoel.
He added: "We have the best possible field. Besides Pogacar, Primoz Roglic, winner of four Vueltas, will be at the start, as will Wout Van Aert, always a great contender, Richard Carapaz, who had a great Tour as King of the Mountains, and Movistar will bring a very strong team, with Enric Mas full of enthusiasm. We won't have Evenepoel, Seixas, or Vingegaard, but the field is good."
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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- It was a sarcastic comment in response to Mistermaumau's ridiculous comment about wishing for war to prove loyalty to one's country
Rafionain-Glas19-08-2026 - We also have to read "between the lines. " One of his clauses is "greater control over his race programme." That tells me a lot. Pogi has said on many occasions, that he prefers one day races over stage races. In one day races you give it all you've got, especially if it's a famous one day race like the Monuments or other historical classics, where all the best cyclists show up. No thinkig and calculating about the race that happened yesterday and the race that will be tomorrow or the next day, like in stage races. It's that one day, when you leave your heart on the road. That's what Pogi loves. So my take is: When Pogi will win another 2 to 3 TdF it will be over for him. That's where his clause "greater control over his race programme" will be impemented. That's why he's preparing Del Toro, to take over the Giro, Tour and Vuelta races, and Pogi will concentrate only on one day races in his "old age." He will put on more muscle and weight and race most of the classics. I can hardly wait those days to come!!!PogiSloFans19-08-2026
- Yeah, exactly... you just can't handle the truth. I just don't understand why you hate His Royal Infalible Pogness???PogiSloFans19-08-2026
- One more thing they talked about: Carera did not disclose all the details, while Benson cites the possibility of discussions about copyrights and the use of Pogačar's own advertising material, used to promote his own brand and products. The Tadej Pogačar official logo is “T” and “P” - identifying him. The MET helmets already use this logo. All I can say; We are watcing a legend being "born" and his legacy will go on for decades.PogiSloFans19-08-2026
- Die for your country? What nonsense Raf! I understand that that is a quote from Wilfred Owens anti war poem but you have used it out of context here.Cyclingsbestfan19-08-2026
- seems like he has no plans to retire early. that probably ends all the potential burnout rumors after last year‘s tdf.Ketterechts19-08-2026
- What kind of argument is that?????? He went as deep for the Tour last year and still contemplated doing the Vuelta before Worlds He’s never skipped MSR for having gone deep a previous year. Please provide some back up to this claim, also about the criticism aside from some irrelevant posters like us.Jumpyjohn19-08-2026
- And yet, some people go out of their way to put him down. Don’t need to remind of some of the comments before he came out of his dry patch.Jumpyjohn19-08-2026
- Oh boy, don’t push that finger too precisely.Jumpyjohn19-08-2026
- It doesn’t matter, there are people like that in both worlds. Funny how nobody mentioned Tadej, who put « family » loyalty over country. Imagine (would be) soldiers would do the same, well, some did, were called traitors BUT they did change the course of history by prematurely ending stupid wars and practically NOBODY 20-30y later dares criticisethem the way their leaders back then did. You should represent your country, for whatever, IF you believe it’s for the RIGHT reasons and the balance of reasons for/against is ok for you PERSONALLY. Jonas is no different to Tadej in that respect, both have their reasons. Besides, as today again shows very well, NEVER confuse country and (temporary) leaders no matter how much people try to pressure you with guilt. In that respect, Belgium’s federation and all its demands on riders is a very interesting case to review.Jumpyjohn19-08-2026
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