Tadej Pogačar, the five-time Tour de France champion, hinted during a criterium in his hometown of Komenda. He will publicly reveal whether he will race the Vuelta a España by the coming Monday. After securing a victory in the event, Pogačar teased the media with a joke: 'What do they collect there? Little bulls?' before answering in a more serious tone. 'We will see on Monday,' according to reports. The remark suggests that the decision is close to being finalized. Though no official confirmation has yet been given.
Pogačar’s Grand Tour ambitions
A decision about whether Pogačar will compete in the Vuelta is one of the key topics shaping his season. If he races it, it would be the first time since his Grand Tour debut in 2019 at the age of 19. When he not only made the podium but also claimed three stage wins. That early success marked Pogačar as one of the rising stars in cycling. Now, at 27, he is in a prime position to make history again. Especially if he decides to take on the Vuelta in August. Winning both the Tour de France and the Vuelta in the same season is an extraordinary feat that only a few riders have achieved. Pogačar would join an elite group consisting of Jacques Anquetil, Bernard Hinault, and Chris Froome. Froome, in particular, stands out because he achieved the double in the Vuelta's current format and time slot following the Tour. Pogačar would also become one of the rare few to win all three Grand Tours in his career, joining his closest rival, Jonas Vingegaard, in that exclusive club. Pogačar will bid to complete a clean sweep of the Grand Tours as he returns to the Vuelta a España for the first time in seven years. Pogacar wrapped up a fifth Tour de France title with another dominant performance in July, and has now been confirmed as the leader of a strong UAE Team Emirates XRG unit for the race in Spain. The Slovenian has not competed in the race since announcing his arrival as a stage-racing force with a third-place finish in 2019, and will bid for a first red jersey. The winner of the Giro d'Italia in 2024, a Vuelta triumph would make Pogacar the ninth male rider to win the general classification at all three of cycling's three-week races. 'I'm excited to say I'm going back to La Vuelta. It was my first ever Grand Tour back in 2019 and an amazing experience,' Pogacar said. 'Spain is a country I love to visit and race in and I think the time is right to go back. The motivation is high to finish off the year in a good way and the Vuelta will be a big target. The team is strong and we hope to do good things.' The Vuelta begins in Monaco, where Pogacar resides, on 22 August, and will cross in France and Andorra before finishing in Granada on 13 September. Pogacar can count on strong support from Joao Almeida – second in last year's race – Jay Vine and Pavel Sivakov, with a strong climbing trio likely to be useful in the high mountains. The talented young Spaniard Pablo Torres will make his Grand Tour debut on home roads. Primoz Roglic, Pogacar's compatriot, and Wout van Aert are among the other big names due to race the Vuelta.
Post-Tour reset and family event
Since returning home to Slovenia after his historic fifth Tour de France win, Pogačar has focused on resting. He has also been preparing for the Tadej Pogačar Criterium in Komenda, now in its eighth year. The event serves as both a celebration of his recent success and a fundraiser for the Tadej Pogačar Foundation. On Thursday, he was greeted by a large crowd. Which marked his return with a warm reception. During a press conference, he entertained the public with unicycle skills. A testament to his versatility and engaging personality.
The criterium on Friday featured 35 laps of a tight 980-meter circuit in Komenda. Pogačar rode alongside teammates like Isaac del Toro, Felix Großschartner, and Tim Wellens. Along with several other professional riders and friends. The event continued with a family day on Saturday. And will conclude with a challenging uphill race on Sunday at the Krvavec climb. In that final event, Pogačar will attempt to overtake 1,177 other riders. Showcasing his strength and determination on home soil.
Pogačar spoke openly to the media about the difficulties of returning to a normal routine after the intense focus and pressure of the Tour de France. 'You have to switch off, give yourself at least a week to recover before returning to reality,' he said. He explained that the Tour's immersive nature creates a 'bubble' in which riders live and race for a month, and stepping away from it can be a jarring experience. According to Pogačar, it takes time to reset and regain balance, especially after a month of training and racing in France.
The decision on the Vuelta remains a major point of speculation, with Pogačar's team boss, Mauro Gianetti, having stated during the Tour that the choice would be finalized after the race. While Pogačar has been evasive about the matter publicly, it's clear that his team is actively working through the logistics and strategy involved in the Vuelta. The fact that discussions have already taken place this week between the rider and management suggests that a decision is imminent.
Pogačar’s humor about the Vuelta has drawn attention, particularly after Prince Albert of Monaco commented during the Tour that Pogačar had indicated his intention to start in the race. When asked about the prince’s remarks, Pogačar responded with characteristic wit: 'If the Prince said it, there's a high chance.' Despite the teasing, the cycling world is eager for a firm answer, especially as the start of the Vuelta approaches. Whether he chooses to race or not, Pogačar's every move remains under close watch.
