Tadej Pogačar will return to the Vuelta a España, bringing the three-time Tour de France champion back to the grand tour where he first burst onto the international cycling scene seven years ago. UAE Team Emirates confirmed the Slovenian star’s participation in the upcoming Spanish grand tour, setting up his first appearance in the race since his breakthrough third-place overall finish in 2019.
The announcement marks a significant shift in late-season Grand Tour racing. Pogačar last raced the Vuelta as a 20-year-old neo-professional, where he claimed three stage victories and finished on the final podium in Madrid behind Primož Roglič and Alejandro Valverde. In the intervening years, the Slovenian has transformed into the dominant force in professional road cycling, capturing four Tour de France yellow jerseys and sweeping multiple prestigious classics.
UAE Team Emirates management outlined the decision as part of a carefully calibrated calendar designed to maximize the rider’s late-season capabilities. The 2019 edition of the Spanish race served as the launchpad for Pogačar’s status as a generational stage-racing talent. During that three-week campaign, he attacked relentlessly in the high mountains of Andorra, crushed the individual time trial, and sealed his podium spot with a legendary solo breakaway on stage 20 to the Puerto de Becerras.
The return to Spanish roads introduces a compelling tactical landscape for the autumn calendar. While the full route details and start list continue to take shape, Pogačar’s presence alters the competitive hierarchy for the general classification. Organizers of the Vuelta a España anticipate a massive surge in global fan engagement and roadside attendance, mirroring the fervent reception he receives across France and Italy.
For sports fans tracking the late-season calendar, UAE Team Emirates is expected to announce the full supporting roster and pre-race preparation schedule in the coming weeks. Official updates, route maps, and stage profiles remain available through the official Vuelta a España portal.
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