Tadej Pogacar to return to Vuelta a España for Grand Tour triple

Slovenian cyclist Tadej Pogacar has announced his return to the Vuelta a España after a seven-year absence. Following his record-breaking fifth Tour de France title, Pogacar aims to secure a Grand Tour triple and join an elite group of riders by winning both the Vuelta and the Tour de France in the same year.

His team, UAE Team Emirates-XRG, confirmed a roster including Joao Almeida, Jay Vine, and Pavel Sivakov. The 81st edition of the race is scheduled to begin on August 22 with an individual time trial in Monaco, traveling through France and Andorra before concluding in Granada, Spain, on September 13.

Reflecting on his career, Pogacar recalled the emotional impact of his unexpected 2020 Tour de France victory. He noted the difficulty of celebrating that win at the time, as he had overtaken his compatriot and former teammate Primoz Roglic in a dramatic final stage. "When I saw how he crossed the finish line, even my heart broke in two," Pogacar stated regarding Roglic's defeat.