“There’s nothing you can do about it” - Vuelta rider's approach to Tadej Pogacar’s command of race and search for answers

Cycling
Saturday, 29 August 2026 at 11:00
Markel Beloki at the 2026 Vuelta a España
Markel Beloki approached the Vuelta a España 2026 as one of Spain’s young prospects tipped to gain prominence in the coming years, although the Spanish Grand Tour is also giving him a first-hand view of the sizeable gap that still separates him from the sport’s dominant figures.
The EF Education-EasyPost rider assessed Tadej Pogacar’s superiority and acknowledged how hard it is for rivals to find an answer when the Slovenian hits his top level.
“When you race against the best, there’s not much more you can do. He’s the best, that’s it. There’s nothing you can do about it; we just have to adapt,” Beloki explained in comments to MARCA. A reflection that captures how many riders feel when Pogacar decides to lay down the law in a Grand Tour.
The Spaniard believes that racing directly against the UAE Team Emirates XRG leader forces the other contenders to rethink their plans. The Slovenian’s ability to attack from distance, sustain huge efforts in the mountains, and make differences in almost any scenario narrows his rivals’ options.
Up against a rider capable of turning a seemingly controlled day into a solo exhibition, the rest of the teams are compelled to seek different race scenarios and wait for an opening.
Markel Beloki (EF Education - EasyPost)
Markel Beloki

Beloki and others not just resigned to fate

Beloki’s words, however, are not just resignation. They also reveal the learning curve that comes with sharing the road with one of today’s standard-bearers of the sport. For a rider still building his professional path, squaring up to Pogacar offers a close look at what it takes to one day contest Grand Tours.
The experience has been especially demanding for Beloki at this Vuelta a España. The EF Education-EasyPost rider was unable to complete stage six, leaving the race after a day defined by its severity and the challenges the peloton is facing.
The withdrawal is a setback for the young Spaniard, who aimed to keep banking kilometres and experience in a race of the highest intensity.

Beloki continues development

Despite the outcome, riding the Vuelta a España marks another important step in his progression. Beloki, son of former pro Joseba Beloki, continues to gain experience at the top level and to measure himself against some of the world’s leading riders.
Within that context, Pogacar’s dominance is both an obstacle and a benchmark. “We just have to adapt,” the Spaniard noted, aware that finding a way to beat the Slovenian requires more than simply trying to react to his accelerations.
For the new generation, living with such superiority can also become a privileged school for understanding where professional cycling is headed.
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