"Spain is a country that I love": Pogacar confirmed for La Vuelta

Tadej Pogačar has cleared one of the major uncertainties of the season's end. The UAE Team Emirates-XRG has officially announced that the reigning Tour de France champion will compete in the Vuelta a España 2026, a race he hasn't participated in since 2019 and which he will now face with a very different goal: to complete his collection of grand tours by conquering the red jersey.

Tadej Pogačar confirms his return to La Vuelta: seven years later he returns to conquer the only grand tour he lacks

The return of the Slovenian is one of the biggest attractions of the upcoming edition of the Spanish round. Just a few days after lifting his fifth Tour de France, Pogačar will return to the stage where he began to build his legend in three-week races.

From the discovery of 2019 to the great dominator of the peloton

La Vuelta was the starting point of Pogačar's sports explosion. At just 20 years old, he surprised the world in his debut in a grand tour by finishing third in the general classification, winning three stages, and conquering the white jersey for best young rider.

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Seven seasons later, he returns as a completely different cyclist. Between that revelation and the rider who will start in Monaco, there are five Tours de France, one Giro d'Italia, a World Championship, and an extensive palmarès in the great classics. However, La Vuelta remains one of the few major races that still do not appear in his victory history.

The route of this edition seems to perfectly suit his characteristics, with seven mountain finishes, two individual time trials, and nearly 3,300 kilometers of competition before the final arrival in Granada.

An UAE Team Emirates-XRG built to fight for the red

The Emirati team has also confirmed the lineup that will accompany its leader during the three weeks of racing. It will be a block with several options for the mountains and the general classification.

UAE Team Emirates-XRG lineup for La Vuelta 2026

• Tadej Pogačar
• João Almeida
• Jay Vine
• Pavel Sivakov
• Pablo Torres
• Kevin Vermaerke
• Domen Novak
• Ivo Oliveira

João Almeida appears as a second option for the general classification after completing another high-level season, while Jay Vine and Pavel Sivakov will strengthen the climbing block. Also noteworthy is the debut in a grand tour of the Spaniard Pablo Torres, one of the young promises of Spanish cycling.
The sports management will be led by Marco Marcato, Manuele Mori, and Tomás Gil.

"The motivation is very high"

After his participation was made official, Pogačar explained that the decision to return to the Spanish round comes at the right moment in his career.

"I am very excited to return to La Vuelta. It was my first grand tour in 2019 and it was an incredible experience. Spain is a country that I love to visit and where I enjoy competing, and I think the time has come to return."

The Slovenian also made it clear what his goal will be to close the season.

"The motivation is very high to finish the year in the best way and La Vuelta will be one of the major objectives. We have a very strong team and we hope to achieve great results."

La Vuelta regains its great star

Pogačar's presence completely changes the landscape of Vuelta 2026. The race will start on August 22 with an individual time trial in Monaco, precisely the city where the world champion resides, before crossing France and Andorra to enter Spain.

His participation automatically makes him the favorite for the final victory and adds enormous appeal to an edition designed for climbers. If he manages to wear red in Granada, Pogačar will add the only grand tour that is still missing from his palmarès and will continue to expand a career that is already among the brightest in the history of cycling.