"This is the best year for him to come to La Vuelta" - La Vuelta director makes the case for Tadej Pogacar to be at the start
Cycling
The countdown to La Vuelta a España 2026 has entered its decisive phase, and all eyes turn to one name: Tadej Pogacar. After sealing his fifth Tour de France with authority and completing a Grande Boucle with less fatigue than expected for a rider of his level, the Slovenian's decision to race the Spanish Grand Tour is almost certain, a move that would lift the event’s global impact to rarely matched heights.
That optimism stems from comments by Javier Guillén, general director of La Vuelta, in two appearances on national media, where he made clear the current scenario suggests 2026 could finally be the year of the world champion’s long-awaited return.
“This is the best year for Tadej to come,” Guillén stated in remarks to Diario AS, convinced that sporting circumstances are unlikely to be so favourable again for the UAE Team Emirates - XRG leader.
The race director explained the calendar clearly plays into the Slovenian’s hands. After a Tour de France he dominated with authority and without reaching the physical limit of recent seasons, Pogacar will have several weeks to recover before the La Vuelta start, scheduled for the 22nd of August in Monaco.
Added to that is a route shaped for explosive, all-round riders like him, plus a further incentive: the chance to tune up for the World Championships in Canada while chasing the only Grand Tour still missing from his extraordinary palmarès.
Tadej Pogacar at the 2026 Tour de France
Monaco as a lure for Tadej Pogacar’s participation
Guillén also highlighted a potentially decisive detail. The race will start this year in Monaco, the city where Pogacar lives, a circumstance that removes travel and adds a strong emotional component.
“We’ve created an extra incentive because we start practically from his home,” the race boss explained, noting that the rider himself told Prince Albert of his excitement about being on the start line.
Even so, the organisation remains cautious. Although optimism is evident, the final decision rests solely with the rider and his team.
In an interview with Mundo Deportivo, Guillén doubled down on that stance: “We would be absolutely thrilled and it would be a great joy if Tadej Pogacar could take the start in Monaco,” while stressing the organisation wants to respect the rider’s timing before making any announcement.
That balance between excitement and caution shapes La Vuelta’s official line. Nobody wants to inflate expectations that may not materialize, yet they do not hide that the Slovenian’s presence would provide an extraordinary boost for the race.
The decision on Pogacar's participation was made this Tuesday, and La Vuelta's social media activity hints at a positive response.
Read also
The route crosses four countries
No wonder. Pogacar is riding one of the most dominant streaks in modern cycling, and his mere presence guarantees massive global media attention. Guillén even called him “the best cyclist in history” and a “true living legend,” aware of the immense pull he holds for fans, sponsors, and media.
The Slovenian’s possible participation also arrives alongside a notably ambitious route. The 2026 edition will be one of the most international in recent years, starting in Monaco, passing through France and Andorra before entering Spain, with the Mediterranean arc and Andalusia taking centre stage.
Far from the traditional northern itineraries, the organisers have backed a different design that will traverse all eight Andalusian provinces and finish, for the first time, in Granada.
The finale in front of the Alhambra stands as one of this edition’s great symbols. Guillén believes ending the race beside Andalusia’s most iconic monument will offer an image to resonate worldwide, replacing the usual Madrid conclusion with a day of greater sporting bite.
The route also adds several features set to open gaps. Chief among them is the first sterrato incursion in La Vuelta’s history, a dirt-road stage in Castellón that could spring unexpected splits among the favourites.
Andalusia: key to La Vuelta 2026
There are also two stages exceeding 5,000 metres of total climbing, with summit finishes at Aitana and the unprecedented Alto del Alguacil, plus a pass over Calar Alto above 2,000 metres, and a time trial between El Puerto de Santa María and Jerez strategically placed in the second half of the race.
All of this shapes a route that, on paper, seems perfectly tailored to Pogacar’s skill set.
Even so, Guillén also stressed that the drama of a Grand Tour doesn’t hinge solely on the Slovenian’s presence. The race director expects riders like Primoz Roglic, who will chase a record fifth La Vuelta title, as well as Enric Mas, Carlos Rodríguez, and Mikel Landa, to raise the competitive bar and complicate the path of the reigning Tour champion.
“We want the best riders,” he summed up, while adding that he also needs the challengers at peak level to keep the suspense that has always defined the Spanish race.
After winning the Tour de France, Tadej Pogacar looks set to be part of La Vuelta
Scorching temperatures set to play a key role
Another concern for the organisers will be heat management. With ten race days in Andalucía, Guillén explained that La Vuelta has learned from the Tour de France this summer and is working with the UCI to improve rider hydration and adjust the rules when needed, though he considers it premature to set contingency plans before knowing the actual weather conditions.
Meanwhile, the organisation awaits the summer’s most anticipated announcement. If Pogacar confirms his start, La Vuelta won’t just feature the best rider of the moment, it will gain a surge in global visibility that’s hard to match. The chance to see the Slovenian chase the only Grand Tour missing from his palmarès would make the 2026 edition one of the most high-profile in recent years and reinforce the unpredictable character of a race that prides itself on delivering action to the very last kilometre.
Javier RampeCycling Journalist
Javier Rampe is a sports analyst with more than 15 years of experience. He holds a degree in Economics from the University of Rome and a Diploma in Business Studies from the University of Cádiz. Despite coming from an academic background not particularly associated with cycling, his passion for both cycling and journalism was instilled in him from an early age. He grew up following Miguel Indurain and José María “El Chava” Jiménez. An admirer of Michael Robinson’s communication style and journalistic approach, he was inspired to pursue a degree in Journalism at the University of Buenos Aires, which he is currently completing.
He has always maintained close ties with the worlds of sport and culture, contributing from a young age to sports blogs and film and music review websites. His work has appeared in media outlets such as Cope, RAI, and Radio Con Vos. He is also the founder of the cycling-focused podcast El Contraanálisis and the football interview channel Días De Fútbol, dedicated to conversations with professional footballers.
In addition to his work at Ciclismoaldia, Javier has interviewed some of the most influential figures in modern cycling, including Alejandro Valverde and Tadej Pogačar, as well as key voices in anti-doping policy such as Alberto Yelmo, David Varillas, and Marcelo Milano. Marcos Maynar, in relation to the ‘Operación Ílex’ case, is also among the personalities he has interviewed. He enjoys conducting in-depth analysis of the cycling ecosystem and has attended major events such as Strade Bianche, the Vuelta a Andalucía, and Itzulia, as well as numerous national cyclo-cross races.
His background in economics, combined with extensive experience in marketing and corporate communications, drives his continuous study of positioning strategies and ensures that he always keeps his focus on crafting compelling and evocative headlines.
claps 0visitors 0
Just in
Popular news
Latest comments
- I had no idea about that either.
santiagobenites10-11-2026 - great analysis thanks! appreciate you posting this. I didn't realize CX had a different standard for deviation. this is even more egregious it seems.mij10-11-2026
- As he isn't currently with Red Bull, I guess if he want to race for one more year he needs to find a team. He's 37 so this will be his last year I would guess, unless he wants to race for almost nothing like Froome did.awp10-11-2026
- I think some are making much ado about nothing. Even though Jonas is getting older, before his crash in the Tour, he looked like a solid 2nd all the way home. No one can really climb with Tadej until this year, Eric Mas showed himself which I think was a one off year for him and Paul Seixas has been able to be pretty close to him. Whatever stage race Jonas enters as long as Tadej is not there he is a favorite to win.awp10-11-2026
- Giro or not Giro, he won't win the Tour!MajorPayne10-11-2026
- Very true.awp10-11-2026
- Ciccone had a very strong end of season. Consistently attacking and livening up races. Hope he makes that last leap in progress and starts notching some significant wins. Great rider to watch.Occam10-11-2026
- Me too!!!!!Occam10-11-2026
- they can sign any 100 of top riders today but Pogi will win over Remco any time at the TDF unless something goes wrongabstractengineer10-11-2026
- the time for a GC rider to retire is when they cannot win stages, or have a significant level drop like from winner/podium into top 5/10 consistently. Roglic is still competitive and Froome raced even though he became pack fodder.abstractengineer10-11-2026
Loading
Write a comment