Following Pogačar and UAE, Equip Kern Pharma announces its 8-rider team on return to the Vuelta a España
CyclingSaturday, 15 August 2026 at 17:58
Follow IDL Pro Cycling on Google
Stay up to date with the best cycling news by making us a preferred source on Google.
Follow us on GoogleEquipo Kern Pharma is the second team to announce its eight-rider roster for the Vuelta a España. Following UAE Emirates-XRG, which is aiming for the overall victory with Tadej Pogačar, the Spanish Pro-Continental team is focusing primarily on its attackers and the pursuit of stage wins.
ADVERTISEMENT
Equipo Kern Pharma did not compete in last year’s Vuelta a España, which came as a major surprise. After all, the team had sensationally won three stages back in 2024. Pablo Castrillo, who now rides for Movistar, won two mountain stages, and Urko Berrade also claimed a victory.
Berrade is back again this time, as part of a roster described as “a strong group with the experience, youth, and talent needed to shine once more.” Alongside Berrade, the team includes Iñigo Elosegui, Marc Brustenga, Iván Cobo, Ibon Ruiz, Iván Ramiro Sosa, Diego Uriarte, and Mats Wenzel.
Sosa is, of course, the best-known of the bunch, with his history on the WorldTour with teams such as Movistar and INEOS. The Colombian will typically be aiming for stage wins in the mountains, alongside Berrade, as well as Ruiz and Uriarte.
Continue reading below the photo
Equipo Kern Pharma believes it can win a stage in the Vuelta a España
"I'm starting with a different mindset than I did in 2024," Berrade says in a press release. "I know how strong the competition is, but I know that if I'm in good form, I'll be competitive." Ruiz even adds, "I think I can win a stage in the Vuelta."
In addition to Sosa and Berrada, Equipo Kern Pharma has Cobo, an explosive rider who can win a sprint from a thinned-out group. Wenzel is also fast and, like Cobo, can handle a small hill. Brustenga is on the team for the few true sprints. Elosegui is the team’s road captain.
General Manager Juanjo Oroz promises cycling fans “utmost effort and dedication” from the eight riders of Equipo Kern Pharma. “We continue to dream big because we believe in ourselves, and the Vuelta is a great opportunity to show that to the world.”
Equipo Kern Pharma Roster - 2026 Vuelta a España
David Bavin-HobbsChief Editor
David has been working in the sports & cycling industry for 16 years. Covering racing, business and technology, he has worked in communications for cycling companies, teams, and as a journalist. His proudest achievement is winning the first bike race he ever entered. He hasn't won a race since.
IDL-productions
🎥 Footage shows the devastation at the scene of the fatal Finlay Tarling incident; Portuguese media report on the cause
Pogačar and UAE need Vuelta winning spree to keep historic 100-win target alive
2026 Vuelta a España route | A Spanish playground for Wout van Aert, Tadej Pogačar and Mads Pedersen
How international media — from L'Équipe's front page to The New York Times — reacted to Demi Vollering and the Tour Femmes
2026 Tour de Pologne | Marco Brenner wins GC and his first WorldTour race
Latest Cycling News
Remco Evenepoel went for a ride with Van der Poel after taking a helicopter ride over the F1 circuit
Losing the 2025 Tour to Ferrand-Prévot was almost too much for Vollering: 'I didn't enjoy it anymore'
From Pogačar to Iniesta and emotional Kwiatkowski to his Dutch junior team: cycling world mourns Tarling (19)
🎥 Footage shows the devastation at the scene of the fatal Finlay Tarling incident; Portuguese media report on the cause
Wout Poels thinks about Gino Mäder after Tarling's death: 'Happening more and more often in recent years'
Popular Cycling News
🎥 Footage shows the devastation at the scene of the fatal Finlay Tarling incident; Portuguese media report on the cause
Seixas domestique explains Pogačar's Tour de France 'death stare' and responds to 'Pantani' nickname
Richard Carapaz plans to join Pogačar and Pedersen at the 2026 Vuelta a España, but he has a problem: 'Significant losses'
Contador and Valverde claim they could've beaten Pogačar in their prime: 'I’ll carry that memory with me'
From Pogačar to Iniesta and emotional Kwiatkowski to his Dutch junior team: cycling world mourns Tarling (19)
Latest Comments
- - Tears on the front row for NSN… goosebumps. Chapeau to the bunch for letting them lead the pace. Esto es el verdadero espíritu del ciclismo.julien15-08-2026
- - Not sure about the “put it in perspective” line referencing other deaths. I get what he meant, but it lands a little cold in this context. The sport must own its safety issues.jeremya15-08-2026
- - Sorry, bit confused—how was Tarling racing Portugal but commemorated in Norway? Are there multiple races at the same time and teams pay tribute across events?robert6515-08-2026
- - Poels speaks from a place of pain, you can feel it. Losing Gino still casts a shadow. His point about rising frequency of tragedies is worrying—UCI needs to accelerate road safety reforms, motos, convoy management, and race routing.sprocketspiny15-08-2026
- - Heartbreaking. RIP Finlay. The neutralised start and minute’s silence in Norway were handled with real class by the peloton.patriciaw15-08-2026
- - Beautiful tribute, but one small gripe: the piece could use more clarity on the timeline and verification of the crash details. Fans deserve precise info when safety is at stake.andrewf14-08-2026
- - Such a bright future ahead—Willebrord years, then IPT Academy deal lined up, plus the family pedigree. This one really hurts the whole peloton. Courage to his mates and staff. Força, Fin. Descanse em paz.cadencekingm14-08-2026
- - Can someone explain how race security works at the Tour of Portugal? The article mentions two different versions (oncoming car vs stationary car). Which is it, and who’s responsible for closing those roads?davidm14-08-2026
- - Devastated. Neutralising the stage was the only respectful call. But how on earth does a car end up on course during a live stage in 2026? Someone needs to answer for this.robert6514-08-2026
- - Heartbreaking news. Finlay had real talent against the clock, third at the U23 TT nats this summer said it all. Deepest condolences to the Tarlings and NSN. Rest in peace, Fin.julien14-08-2026
Loading
