Tadej Pogacar has indicated a potential tilt at the Vuelta a España, just days after securing a historic fifth Tour de France yellow jersey. The Slovenian sensation, who now matches the record of cycling greats Eddy Merckx, Jacques Anquetil, Miguel Indurain, and Bernard Hinault, admitted he needs time to celebrate his latest triumph before making a definitive decision on participating in the Spanish Grand Tour.
Pogacar, who is only 27, has dominated recent Grand Tours, winning the last three editions of the Tour de France and adding the 2024 Giro d'Italia title to his impressive palmarès earlier this year. Despite his extensive success, which also includes 13 Monument victories, the Vuelta a España is one of the few major prizes that has eluded him. His only previous appearance in the race was in 2019, where he finished on the podium in his Grand Tour debut.
The prospect of completing cycling's coveted Grand Tour treble – winning the Giro d'Italia, Tour de France, and Vuelta a España – is a significant motivator. Only eight male riders in history have achieved this extraordinary feat, a club which his rival Jonas Vingegaard recently joined after his Giro success this year. The 2026 Vuelta is particularly notable as it will commence from Monaco, Pogacar's home base, before traversing four countries over three weeks of challenging racing.
However, Pogacar remains cautious about the demands of such a demanding schedule. He has previously spoken about the risk of burnout, a concern he reiterated following his Tour victory. “Right now, if it starts tomorrow, I would say no,” Pogacar stated, referring to the Vuelta’s 22 August start date. “In two weeks, I can still decide. I just want to enjoy this moment, not thinking about any history... I'm aware that this can happen if you push too hard. That's why I don't want to say I go to Vuelta, I go to that. I need to think about this. Keep the feet on the ground.”
His decision will be closely watched by the cycling world, as a successful Vuelta campaign would not only cement his status as one of the greatest riders of all time but also complete a rare and highly esteemed collection of Grand Tour titles. The balance between chasing history and managing physical and mental fatigue will be key to his final choice.