Tadej Pogačar to Announce Vuelta a España Decision on Monday

The UAE Team Emirates-XRG rider indicated the decision is pending following discussions with team management, according to RTVSLO.

Pogačar recently won the Tour de France for a record-equalling fifth time. If he enters and wins the Vuelta a España, he would become the fourth man to win both the Tour and the Vuelta in a single season, joining Jacques Anquetil, Bernard Hinault, and Chris Froome. According to Cyclingnews, Froome is the only rider to achieve this feat with the Vuelta held in its current post-Tour calendar slot.

Pogačar’s Potential Return to La Vuelta a España

A participation in the third Grand Tour of the year would mark Pogačar’s first appearance at the race since 2019. During his debut at age 19, he won three stages and finished on the podium. A victory would also place him alongside rival Jonas Vingegaard of Visma-Lease a Bike as riders to have won all three Grand Tours during their careers.

The possibility of his entry has been a subject of speculation throughout the Tour de France. Prince Albert of Monaco told L’Equipe that Pogačar stated he would be at the start. When questioned about the Prince’s comment during the Tour, Pogačar responded, If the Prince said it, there’s a high chance.

UAE Team Emirates-XRG manager Mauro Gianetti told Cyclingnews during the Tour that the team would make a final decision after the race. Those discussions between Pogačar and management reportedly took place during the final week of July.

Tadej Pogačar Criterium and Recovery

Pogačar spent the week following his Tour victory resting in Slovenia and preparing for the eighth edition of the Tadej Pogačar Criterium in Komenda. He won the event for the second year, racing 35 laps of a 980-metre circuit.

He competed alongside teammates Isaac del Toro, Felix Großschartner, and Tim Wellens. The event, which benefits the Tadej Pogačar foundation, included a celebratory welcome home on Thursday, July 31, and a family day on Saturday, August 2.

The event concludes on Sunday, August 3, with a race up the Krvavec climb. Pogačar is scheduled to start last in an attempt to catch 1,177 riders ahead of him.

Speaking to the media about the mental and physical toll of the season, Pogačar described the necessity of a recovery period. He stated that riders must switch off and reset for at least a week after the Tour to return to reality after spending a month in the France-based racing bubble and a prior month at a training camp.

Timeline for the Vuelta Announcement

While Pogačar maintained a playful tone when asked by journalists in Komenda if he would line up in Monaco on August 22, he confirmed a specific date for the official word. When asked about the event, he quipped, What do they collect there? Little bulls?

He followed the remark by stating, Maybe. We will see. We will see on Monday, according to RTVSLO.