The rumors had been circulating for some time, and even the boss of Vuelta a España had been publicly hinting at it, but Tadej Pogacar (UAE Emirates-XRG) seems set to ride the Vuelta a España this season after all. Team boss Mauro Gianetti says it is on the world champion's schedule, which means Pogi could complete a special trilogy this year. We saw Pogacar in action once before in the Vuelta a España. That was in 2019, when the then 20-year-old Slovenian rode his first Grand Tour. It turned out to be a very successful debut. The Slovenian won three stages, finished third in the GC, and also took home the jerseys for the best young rider.
Six years later, the world champion is returning to the Vuelta. Gianetti announced this on
Vélo. “The Vuelta is on his program. Let’s see what happens at the Tour, but normally, the Vuelta is on the program,” said the Swiss. If Pogi wins the Vuelta, he will join Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, Jacques Anquetil, Felice Gimondi, Alberto Contador, Vincenzo Nibali, and Chris Froome, the riders who have won all three Grand Tours to date.
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"Tadej is feeling good," said Gianetti about his current form in the Tour
This would shape Pogacar's program for the fall. Defending his rainbow jersey at the World Championships seems obvious, as the world title will be decided on a grueling course in Rwanda. Pogacar normally likes the Canadian races, but due to the extensive travel, it remains to be seen whether the Slovenian will head that way again this year.
For now, Pogacar is in the middle of the Tour. On Wednesday, the Slovenian was
the moral winner of the day after beating his rival Jonas Vingegaard (Visma | Lease a Bike) by more than a minute
in the time trial. “Things have been going well, the team is strong and committed” Gianetti said. “Some were saying this was a
Tour de France like 20 years for the sprinters, but the first four stages were really challenging and we are seeing big differences. Tadej is feeling good,” concluded the UAE boss.