"They haven't told us no yet" - Tadej Pogacar hasn't ruled out Vuelta a Espana participation as race director provides update
Cycling
Tadej Pogacar has flirted with riding the Vuelta a España 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 where he made his first early top-tier breakthrough.
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.
Vuelta a Espana race director hopeful for Pogacar participation
Although the opening stage time trial lies just a stone's 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.
Roglic could claim historic fifth Vuelta win
“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.
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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."
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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- "Anatomy of a G.O.A.T." OK, that's great!!! I've been saying all along: Tadej Pogačar-Pogi is the G.O.A.T... period. Not only in cycling... but he's the greatest sportsman that ever lived. AD ACTA !!! But let's take a look of what real foolishness is. We have many many fools, also on this site, saying that Pogi is "boring,"... he's making cycling "boring"??? I can't believe what's comming out of their deteriorating bad breath mouths. So I guess Merckx, Hinault, Indurain, Fasto Coppi and Anquetil were also boring at their time!?!? PS: Many cycling fans that think that way, have to get a brain scan. Medication nowadays is quite advanced.PogiSloFans06-11-2026
- ridiculous. a normal racing incident. how lame do you have to be to complain about that?Ketterechts06-11-2026
- Rubbing is racing.
santiagobenites06-11-2026 - Throws an elbow, but crashes afterwards and he's upset.
Front24206-11-2026 - There should be nothing but praise for them: 1. Trying to make things safer, and 2. Trying something "new".acem8206-11-2026
- And a bit of a malcontent on top of it all that doesn’t help.mij06-11-2026
- Hopefully it was just a particularly bad year!Lozza05-11-2026
- He has the Twin combo of being vulnerable to germs and prone to crashes on top of not heeding the complaints from his body. Thats just crash and burn career.abstractengineer05-11-2026
- You can't complete a journey without taking next step. He has to do that or start looking for another job. I hope he can get his act together. It's a make or break next season for him. I wish him well.Cyclingsbestfan05-11-2026
- does anyone really think he is taking a next step?mij05-11-2026
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