"The Tadej Pogacar - Jonas Vingegaard rivalry would elevate this Vuelta to one of the greatest" - Javier Guillen makes plea to cycling's biggest GC stars

The rivalry between Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard has defined the modern era of the Tour de France. Despite the fact that both of the Maillot Jaune winners have challenged themselves other Grand Tours alongside the Tour in recent years, a dual between the pair is yet to take place outside France. Could that change later this year at the 2025 Vuelta a Espana however?

If race director Javier Guillen gets his way, the next chapter of Pogacar and Vingegaard's storied rivalry could be coming at the Vuelta a Espana later this year. "I don’t know what the odds are of Pogacar coming to the Vuelta — honestly, I have no idea. But what we’re hearing through the grapevine suggests there’s a strong chance he’ll participate," said Guillen recently at a presentation of the race jerseys in Madrid. "In terms of hope, we’re full of it. But there’s one key detail: he didn’t ride the Giro this year. And if he didn’t ride the Giro, I believe someone like him — who thrives on challenges — will want to add the Vuelta to his palmarès."

Both Pogacar and Vingegaard have already announced intentions for the Tour de France again in 2025. As noted by Guillen, it's likely the Spanish Grand Tour will have to wait for the end of the French for official confirmation about their hopes. "It's true that we need to wait until the Tour is over to know for sure, but if you ask me to pick a year for him (Pogacar) to come, I’d say it’s this one," Guillen says, sending a very public message to the world champion. "I guarantee it’s this one. That said, we can’t say for certain just yet."

"It would be the best possible gift — not just for the organization, but for cycling fans everywhere. I believe that bringing back the Pogacar - Vingegaard rivalry would elevate this Vuelta to one of the greatest line-ups in its history," concludes the race director. "The Vuelta wants Pogacar to come — and we need him to come. But of course, he can't race alone. It would be fantastic to also have Juan Ayuso, Enric Mas, and hopefully Remco Evenepoel as well."