"The Vuelta isn't ruled out" - Matxin confirms Tadej Pogacar's final months will only be planned after Tour de France

The 2026 Vuelta a España will begin from Monaco, the home of Tadej Pogacar and several other pro riders. That is certainly a very attractive proposal for the World Champion, but a decision on his participation will only be made after the Tour de France and depending on what he feels then.

"Tadej and I agreed to decide the final part of the program after the Tour," Joxean Matxin shared with Marca. "The Vuelta isn't ruled out, of course, but we want to be respectful of the race. One year we announced he would race, and in the end, things didn't work out the best way, like the year before. We don't want to raise expectations if we don't really know how Pogacar is doing. Let's wait."

In 2025 there was a high possibility that he would do it, but the Slovenian ended the Tour de France exhausted, and required time off the bike and competition before setting his sights in the World Championships. Jonas Vingegaard in the meanwhile, rode and won the Vuelta a España. However we could see the roles inversed next year.

Matxin was also asked about the switch between the Giro d'Italia and the Vuelta in their calendar positions, and does not oppose it. "I think it's a decision the races have to make. It's clear that Tadej said it (that switching them could work, ed.) because of the climate. In August, where we'll be in Spain, it will be very hot. And in Italy, where we'll be, there could be a lot of snow [In May]. If we held the 2026 Vuelta in April, we certainly wouldn't cancel any stages".

An aditional point to that is that Pogacar may be able to win the Vuelta without being at his very best level. Replicating the Tour de France preparation is certainly impossible, and so improving on his level would be key for that and other goals.

"Improving on what we did this year. Don't be complacent, don't think that what we've achieved is already there," Matxin adds, assuring the team does not stagnate even when their riders are achieving exactly what is desired.

"If we've achieved it, it's because we're capable, and if we do things the way we've done so far—with the same focus, mentality, ability, hard work, and cohesion. I'm convinced we can even surpass the result of 2025. I don't want to count how many victories we've had, but to improve on what we've achieved."