"They haven't told us no yet" - Tadej Pogacar hasn't ruled out Vuelta a Espana participation as race director provides update

Tadej Pogacar has flirted with riding the Vuelta a Espana in recent seasons in a bid to add the Spanish grand tour to his illustrious palmarès. But with important races like the World Championships and an often bust Spring schedule, the Slovenian is yet to return to the race he made his first early top tier breakthrough in.

Pogacar showcased his stunning potential in the 2019 edition of the race, less than a year before he would really break through to the top of the sport with victory in the 2020 Tour de France. However, in the Vuelta he picked up three stage wins and a third place overall.

And as he grew into the all-winning dominant force in cycling, the UAE Team Emirates - XRG has yet to return to the race. This comes despite announcing his planned participation earlier in previous seasons before changing his schedule.

Vuelta race director Javier Guillén has a good feeling this time around however. Guillén believes that Pogacar's team instead holding off officially announcing his participation - while also not rejecting an invitation - signals that the door is still open to the Slovenian showing up at the 2026 Monaco start.

Although the opening stage time trial lies just a stone throw from the world champion's residence, a grand tour participation is no easy decision for Pogacar and his team to commit to, and he's made his desires to ride the Vuelta as well as his latter season goals like the World Championships and Il Lombardia no secret.

"They haven't told us no yet, which is a lot," the Vuelta director said in an interview with Diario JAÉN. He added: "It's also true that in other years he has announced his participation and it ultimately wasn't confirmed, but I think he has a clear ambition. Besides winning everything, he wants to have all three Grand Tours in his palmarès."

Although one Slovenian's participation isn't confirmed, his compatriot Primoz Roglic seems destined to take to the start. The veteran could claim his fifth Vuelta overall win and is one of the race's most legendary competitors.

“His main objective is to win La Vuelta. If he wins, it will be his fifth Vuelta, making him the rider with the most victories in the history of the competition. Movistar is coming with a very strong team,” he added.

No matter who takes to the start line, this year's edition of the Vuelta is sure to be an epic, but one steeped in the mountains and hills of Andalusia, with several stages and all provinces of the region set to feature.

He said this year's race “is very special because it finishes in Andalusia, and half of its stages will take place in this region. All eight Andalusian provinces will be part of the route, but it's also true that, with the Vuelta a Andalucía coming here, it was bound to be in Jaén, no question about it."