2026 calendar set for Grand Tour test
Tadej Pogačar is preparing to return to the Vuelta a España in August 2026, his first time at the Spanish Grand Tour since 2019. The Slovenian cyclist already has one Giro d'Italia title and five Tour de France victories to his name, with the Vuelta remaining the last Grand Tour win he needs to complete the full set. Pogačar has said that this challenge will be at the heart of his 2026 racing season, as he aims to take his third Grand Tour triumph.
In 2026, Pogačar extended his list of victories with wins at Milan-San Remo and the Tour de Suisse, showcasing his versatility as a top-tier cyclist. Over the next two years, he hopes to add the remaining major cycling titles to his collection. He’s close to achieving both the feat of winning all of cycling’s Monuments and the most prestigious one-week stage races. He is currently just one event away from each, with Paris-Roubaix and Itzulia Basque Country being the two still missing.
Olympic ambitions clash with Tour de France schedule
Despite the challenges, Pogačar has set his sights on the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. This will be his second appearance at the Olympics after finishing third in the road race in Tokyo in 2021, where he narrowly missed out on the podium to Richard Carapaz and Wout van Aert. He also pulled out of the Paris Games in 2024, citing tiredness after a long season in which he won the Giro and the Tour de France. There were also personal and team factors at play, including the exclusion of his partner, Urška Žigart, from Slovenia's Olympic team.
The 2028 road race is scheduled for July 23 and will start at the Venice Beach Boardwalk, heading toward an uphill finish at the Griffith Observatory. Meanwhile, the Tour de France’s final stage is set for July 16, offering just a week for travel and preparation. This tight schedule poses a challenge for Pogačar and his team, UAE Team Emirates-XRG, who may prefer he avoids such conflicts. However, Pogačar is confident the team will consider his Olympic ambitions and make accommodations.
Paris-Roubaix remains a major challenge
Pogačar has yet to win Paris-Roubaix, often called the Hell of the North. So far, he has finished second in the event twice, behind Mathieu van der Poel in 2025 and Wout van Aert in 2026. Although he is yet to cross the line first, he has already shown the strength and tactics needed to win the race. The cobbled roads and unpredictable weather of Paris-Roubaix remain a daunting test, with crashes a common feature.
Despite the risks and the physical strain that comes with an already packed schedule, Pogačar shows no sign of backing down from the challenge. He knows the race demands not just skill but the right conditions, timing, and luck. However, with his current level of performance, he remains a top contender in the race. The 2027 calendar might not include another appearance at Paris-Roubaix, as Pogačar focuses on other events and recovery after a long and successful season.
Pogačar admitted he still hasn’t fully processed his win at Milan-San Remo, a race he now holds dear to his heart. He mentioned that it might not truly sink in until months later, especially since he avoids training in the same area due to the crowded roads. For now, his focus is clear: to add Paris-Roubaix to his growing list of victories, and to continue his pursuit of every race that remains beyond his reach.
As he approaches the latter years of his career, with his contract with UAE Team Emirates-XRG set to expire in 2030, Pogačar remains motivated. He is driven by the challenge of new races and the desire to add to his nearly complete palmarès. After his 2026 Vuelta appearance, he will likely move even closer to achieving his dream of winning every major event in cycling.
