Tadej Pogačar will start the Vuelta a España, aiming to secure one of the few remaining major titles missing from his palmarès. The Slovenian world champion confirmed his participation following his fifth career victory at the Tour de France, setting up a high-stakes bid for history at the Spanish Grand Tour starting August 22 in Monaco.
Vuelta a España Route and Grand Tour Ambitions
The three-week Spanish race begins in Pogačar’s adopted home of Monaco. At 27 years old, the 27-year-old has yet to conquer the Vuelta, having finished third during his only previous appearance in 2019. Capturing the red jersey in Madrid would make him only the ninth rider in cycling history to win all three Grand Tours—the Giro d’Italia, the Tour de France, and the Vuelta a España. His rival Jonas Vingegaard was the most recent rider to achieve the prestigious career triple crown. Pogačar already secured the Giro d’Italia crown in 2024 alongside his dominant Tour de France triumphs.
The Triple Crown Conversation and Legend Perspective
Cycling legend Eddy Merckx has publicly stated that Pogačar possesses the capability to win all three Grand Tours within a single calendar season. Achieving such a feat, however, would likely require the Slovenian superstar to scale back his participation in the prestigious one-day spring classics. Following the conclusion of the Vuelta, Pogačar’s late-season calendar points toward the UCI Road World Championships in Canada. The demanding Montreal street circuit suits his explosive climbing style, presenting an opportunity to claim a third world title—a feat last accomplished by Slovakian Peter Sagan.
What Comes Next
Pogačar prepares for the start of the Vuelta a España on August 22 in Monaco. Share your thoughts on Pogačar’s Grand Tour schedule in the comments below.
