Tadej Pogacar targets Vuelta a España 2026 victory as race field shapes up

Slovenian champion Tadej Pogacar has confirmed his participation in the 2026 Vuelta a España, aiming to win the only Grand Tour that still eludes him after five Tour de France titles and a Giro d’Italia victory in 2024. He will make his second appearance in the Spanish race, seven years after his debut in 2019, and says he is excited to return.

Pogacar is using a relaxed preparation period, including gravel rides around his hometown of Komenda, to recharge after the Tour. Former world champion Maurizio Fondriest warned that while Pogacar could attempt a historic triple‑Grand‑Tour season, he would not risk such an intense program.

The Vuelta’s start list features several other contenders: Primož Roglič, João Almeida, Mattias Skjelmose Jensen, Giulio Ciccone and Mads Pedersen, alongside Spanish rider Enric Mas, who is focusing on the Vuelta Burgos to sharpen his form for a possible podium in the Vuelta a España.